SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from         to         

Commission File Number: 1-13792
 

Systemax Inc.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
11-3262067
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

11 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, New York   11050
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (516) 608-7000
 


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE



Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best knowledge of the registrant, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer
 
Accelerated Filer
Non-Accelerated Filer 
 
Smaller reporting company 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes  No

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2014, which is the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $155,581,532. For purposes of this computation, all executive officers and directors of the Registrant and all parties to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 have been deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed to be an admission that such persons are, in fact, affiliates of the Registrant.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 4, 2015 was 36,813,158 shares.
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the Proxy Statement of Systemax Inc. relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
 


TABLE OF C ONTENTS

Part I
   
Item 1.
4
 
4
 
5
 
5
 
6
 
6
 
7
 
7
 
8
 
8
 
8
Item 1A.
9
Item 1B.
17
Item 2.
18
Item 3.
18
Item 4.
19
     
Part II
   
Item 5.
20
Item 6.
21
Item 7.
21
Item 7A.
37
Item 8.
37
Item 9.
37
Item 9A.
37
Item 9B.
38
     
Part III
   
Item 10.
39
Item 11.
39
Item 12.
39
Item 13.
39
Item 14.
39
     
Part IV
   
Item 15.
39
     
 
43
 
PART I

Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to Systemax Inc. (sometimes referred to as “Systemax,” the “Company” or “we”) include its subsidiaries.

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Additional written or oral forward looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise.  Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections or estimates of revenue, income or loss, exit costs, cash flow needs and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, expansion or restructuring plans, including our exit from the managing of retail stores and the focusing of our North American Technology Group operations on B2B customers, financing needs, compliance with financial covenants in loan agreements, the timely implementation of technology systems discussed below, plans for reorganizing our European operations, including timely integration of our new shared services center in Hungary, plans for acquisition or sale of assets or businesses and consolidation of operations of newly acquired businesses, including our recent acquisitions of SCC/Misco Solutions in the Netherlands and of Plant Equipment Group in the US, and plans relating to products or services of the Company, assessments of materiality, predictions of future events and the effects of pending and possible litigation, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing.  In addition, when used in this report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” and “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.

Forward looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified based on current expectations.  Consequently, future events and results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward looking statements contained in this report.  Statements in this report, particularly in “Item 1. Business,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describe certain factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause such differences.

Other factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, but are not limited to, unanticipated developments in any one or more of the following areas, as well as other factors which may be detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings:
 
 
 
·
risks involved with e-commerce, including possible loss of business and customer dissatisfaction if outages or other computer-related problems should preclude customer access to our products and services
 
·
our ability to timely and efficiently exit the retail store consumer electronics business and to invest in and expand our North American Technology Products B2B electronics business
 
·
our ability to timely and efficiently integrate acquired businesses, such as our recent acquisitions of SCC/Misco Solutions in the Netherlands and of Plant Equipment Group in the US
 
·
the Company’s management information systems and other technology platforms supporting our sales, procurement and other operations are critical to our operations and disruptions or delays, particularly as we continue to transition certain functions from our existing platforms to a new platform specifically developed for our needs, have occurred and could occur in the future, and if not timely addressed would have a material adverse effect on us
 
·
general economic conditions, such as decreased consumer confidence and spending and reductions in manufacturing capacity have contributed to our recent failure to achieve our historical sales growth rates and profit levels and could continue to impact our business
 
·
technological change, such as the integration of formerly separate products (for instance, cameras and GPS devices into cellular phones) and the effect of increased tablet sales on sales of PCs and laptop computers, have had and can continue to have a material effect on our product mix and results of operations
 
·
the markets for our products and services are extremely competitive and if we are unable to successfully respond to our competitors’ strategies our sales and gross margins will be adversely affected
 
·
our ecommerce operations must compete with large, expanding ecommerce retailers
 
·
sales tax laws or government enforcement priorities may be changed which could result in ecommerce and direct mail retailers having to collect sales taxes in states where the current laws and interpretations do not require us to do so
 
·
our substantial international operations are subject to risks such as fluctuations in currency rates, foreign regulatory requirements, political uncertainty and the management of our expanding international operations infrastructure, including our ability to timely and effectively continue to  transition certain support operations to our shared services center in Hungary and effectively implement distribution logistics initiatives in Europe
 
 
·
managing various inventory risks, such as being unable to profitably resell excess or obsolete inventory and/or the loss of product return rights and price protection from our vendors
 
·
meeting credit card industry compliance standards in order to maintain our ability to accept credit cards
 
·
significant changes in the computer products retail industry, especially relating to the distribution and sale of such products
 
·
timely availability of existing and new products
 
·
risks associated with delivery of merchandise to customers by utilizing common delivery services
 
·
borrowing costs or availability, including our ability to renew credit facilities
 
·
pending or threatened litigation and investigations
 
·
the availability of key personnel
 
·
the continuation of key vendor  relationships
 
·
the ability to maintain satisfactory credit arrangements
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unexpected events.
Item 1.
Business.

General

Recent developments

On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015.   The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures.   The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million.
 
On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKT America for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were de minimus. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently. This acquisition expands the Company’s regional footprint and its market share.
 
On June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (“SCC”) (renamed Misco Solutions B.V.), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands.  The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently.  This acquisition expands the Company’s business in the Netherlands.
 
Overview

Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized in two reportable business segments — Technology Products and Industrial Products.

The Technology Products segment sells products categorized as Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) and Consumer Electronics (“CE”).  These products include computers, computer supplies and consumer electronics which are marketed in North America, Puerto Rico and Europe. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured to our own design and marketed on a private label basis. Technology Products accounted for 84%, 86% and 89% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of industrial products and supplies categorized as Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) which are marketed in North America and Mexico. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured to our own design and marketed on a private label basis . Industrial products accounted for 16%, 14%, and 11% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K for additional financial information about our business as well as information about our geographic operations.

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1995. Certain predecessor businesses which now constitute part of the Company have been in business since 1949. Our headquarters office is located at 11 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York.

Products

We offer hundreds of thousands of brand name and private label products. We endeavor to expand and keep current the breadth of our product offerings in order to fulfill the increasingly wide range of product needs of our customers.

ICT products offered by our Technology Products segment include: computing products such as laptops, desktops and tablets; computer components and accessories; commercial and home networking; and software. CE products include TV and video; audio; cameras and surveillance; GPS; cell phones; video games and toys; home and electronics accessories.

MRO products offered by our Industrial Products segment include material handling; storage and shelving; workbench and shop desks; packaging and supplies; furniture and office; foodservice and appliances; janitorial and maintenance; tools and instruments; fasteners and hardware; motors and power transmission; HVAC/R and fans; electrical and bulbs; plumbing supplies; and safety and medical items.
 
Sales and Marketing

We market our products to both business customers (“B2B”) and to individual consumers (“B2C”). Our B2B customers include for-profit businesses, educational organizations and government entities. We have developed numerous proprietary customer and prospect databases.

To reach our B2C customers, we use online methods such as website campaigns, banner ads and e-mail campaigns. We are able to monitor and evaluate the results of our various advertising campaigns to enable us to execute them in the most cost-effective manner. We combine our use of e-commerce initiatives with catalog mailings, which generate online orders and calls to inbound sales representatives.  These sales representatives use our information and distribution systems to fulfill orders and explore additional customer product needs.  Sales to individual consumers are generally fulfilled from our own stock, requiring us to carry more inventory than we would for our business customers.  As discussed above, we will be exiting the B2C retail store market during the first half of 2015.  We also periodically take advantage of attractive product pricing by making opportunistic bulk inventory purchases with the objective of turning them quickly into sales.

We have established a multi-faceted direct marketing system to business customers, consisting primarily of our relationship marketers, catalog mailings and proprietary internet websites, the combination of which is designed to maximize sales. Our relationship marketers focus their efforts on our business customers by establishing a personal relationship between such customers and a Systemax account manager. The goal of the relationship marketing sales force is to increase the purchasing productivity of current customers and to actively solicit newly targeted prospects to become customers. With access to the records we maintain, our relationship marketers are prompted with product suggestions to expand customer order values. In certain countries, we also have the ability to provide such customers with electronic data interchange (“EDI”) ordering and customized billing services, customer savings reports and stocking of specialty items specifically requested by these customers. Our relationship marketers’ efforts are supported by frequent catalog mailings and e-mail campaigns, both of which are designed to generate inbound telephone sales, and our interactive websites, which allow customers to purchase products directly over the Internet. We believe that the integration of our multiple marketing methods enables us to more thoroughly penetrate our business, educational and government customer base. We believe increased internet exposure leads to more internet-related sales and also generates more inbound telephone sales; just as we believe catalog mailings and email campaigns which feature our websites results in greater internet-related sales.
 
 
E-commerce

The worldwide growth in active internet users has made e-commerce a significant opportunity for sales growth.

The increase in our internet-related sales enables us to leverage our advertising spending. We currently operate multiple e-commerce sites, including:
 
North America
Europe
   
http://biz.tigerdirect.com
www.misco.co.uk
www.tigerdirect.com
www.misco.de
www.tigerdirect.ca
www.misco.fr
www.tigerdirect.pr
www.misco.nl
www.infotelusa.com
www.misco.it
www.globalcomputer.com
www.misco.es
www.globalgoved.com
www.misco.se
www.globalindustrial.com
www.misco.at
www.globalindustrial.ca
www.misco.ch
www.globalindustrial.mx
www.misco.be
www.nexelwire.com
www.misco.ie
 
www.inmac-wstore.com
 
www.miscosolutions.nl

We are continually upgrading the capabilities and performance of these websites. Our internet sites feature online catalogs of hundreds of thousands of products, allowing us to offer a wider variety of computer and industrial products than our printed catalogs.  Our customers have around-the-clock, online access to purchase products and we have the ability to create targeted promotions for our customers’ interests.

In addition to our own e-commerce websites, we have partnering agreements with several of the largest internet shopping and search engine providers who feature our products on their websites or provide “click-throughs” from their sites directly to ours.  These arrangements allow us to expand our customer base at an economical cost.

Catalogs

We currently produce a total of 9 full-line or direct mail publications in North America and Europe under distinct titles.  Our portfolio of catalogs includes such established brand names as TigerDirect.com™, Misco®, Global Industrial™, Nexel™ and Inmac WStore®.   We mail catalogs to both businesses and individual consumers.  In the case of business mailings, we mail our catalogs to many individuals at a single business location, providing us with multiple points-of-contact.  Our in-house staff designs all of our catalogs, which reduces overall catalog expense and shortens catalog production time.  Our catalogs are printed by third parties under fixed pricing arrangements.  The commonality of certain core pages of our catalogs also allows for economies of scale in catalog production.

Continuing our focus on internet advertising, the distribution of our catalogs decreased to 10.4 million in 2014, which was 28.8% less than in the prior year.  In 2014, we mailed approximately 7.1 million catalogs in North America, a 24.5% decrease from last year and approximately 3.3 million catalogs in Europe, or 36.5% fewer than mailed in 2013.

Customer Service, Order Fulfillment and Support

We receive orders through the Internet, by telephone, electronic data interchange and by fax.  We generally provide toll-free telephone number access for our customers in countries where it is customary.  Certain domestic call centers are linked to provide telephone backup in the event of a disruption in phone service.

Certain of our products are carried in stock, and orders for such products are fulfilled on a timely basis directly from our distribution centers, typically within one day of the order.  We utilize numerous sales and distribution facilities in North America and Europe. Orders are generally shipped by third-party delivery services.  We maintain relationships with a number of large distributors in North America and Europe that also deliver products directly to our customers.

We maintain a database of commonly asked questions for our technical support representatives, enabling them to respond quickly to similar questions.  We conduct regular on-site training seminars for our sales representatives to help ensure that they are well trained and informed regarding our latest product offerings.

Suppliers

We purchase substantially all of our products and components directly from manufacturers and large wholesale distributors. In 2014, two vendors accounted for 10% or more of our purchases – one vendor was 12.6%, the other vendor was 11.6%.  In 2013, one vendor accounted for 13.9% of our purchases and in 2012, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases. The loss of these vendors, or any other key vendors, could have a material adverse effect on us.
 
Most private label products are manufactured by third parties to our specifications.

Competition and Other Market Factors

Technology Products

The North American and European technology product markets are highly competitive, with many U.S., European and Asian companies vying for market share.  There are few barriers to entry, with these products being sold through multiple channels of distribution, including direct marketers, computer resellers, mass merchants, over the Internet local and national retail computer stores, and by computer and office supply superstores.

Timely introduction of new products or product features are critical elements to remaining competitive. Other competitive factors include product performance, quality and reliability, technical support and customer service, marketing and distribution and price. Some of our competitors have stronger brand-recognition, broader product lines and greater financial, marketing, manufacturing and technological resources than us.

Conditions in the market for technology products remain highly competitive, resulting in our frequent discounting of product sales price as well as offering free or highly discounted freight.  These actions have and may continue to adversely affect our revenues and profits.  Additionally, we rely in part upon the introduction of new technologies and products by other manufacturers in order to sustain long-term sales growth and profitability.  There is no assurance that the rapid rate of such technological advances and product development will continue.

Current economic conditions in the United States, including eroding consumer demand, as well as ongoing difficulties in the various European countries where we operate, raise additional concerns as we believe the loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s markets together has resulted in a decrease of spending in the categories of products we sell.  It is also possible that as manufacturers react to the marketplace they may reduce manufacturing capacity and create shortages of product.

In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores, closing a distribution center, and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. See Recent Developments.
 
Industrial Products

The market for the sale of industrial products in North America is highly fragmented and is characterized by multiple distribution channels such as small dealerships, direct mail distribution, internet-based resellers, large warehouse stores and retail outlets.  We also face competition from manufacturers’ own sales representatives, who sell industrial equipment directly to customers, and from regional or local distributors.  Many high volume purchasers, however, utilize catalog distributors as their first source of product. In the industrial products market, customer purchasing decisions are primarily based on price, product selection, product availability, level of service and convenience.  We believe that direct marketing via sales representatives, catalog and the Internet are effective and convenient distribution methods to reach mid-sized facilities that place many small orders and require a wide selection of products.  In addition, because the industrial products market is highly fragmented and generally less brand oriented, it is well suited to private label products.

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we employed a total of approximately 5,300 employees, of whom 3,500 were in North America and 1,800 were in Europe and Asia. Approximately 1,500 employees will be impacted by the reduction in force in connection with our exit from the retail store consumer electronics business.   See Recent Developments.
 
Seasonality

As the Company has a significant portion of its sales in the North America consumer business market, the fourth quarter has historically represented the greatest portion of annual sales.  Net sales have historically been modestly weaker during the second and third quarters as a result of lower business activity during those months.  See Item 7, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Seasonality”.
 
In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its B2B operations as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores and consumer operations. As a result the Company will see a substantial decline in retail revenues ; however the Company expects that its sales will be less seasonal in nature in the future.
 
Environmental Matters

Under various national, state and local environmental laws and regulations in North America and Western Europe, a current or previous owner or operator (including the lessee) of real property may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances at such real property. Such laws and regulations often impose liability without regard to fault.  We lease most of our facilities.  In connection with such leases, we could be held liable for the costs of removal or remedial actions with respect to hazardous substances.  Although we have not been notified of, and are not otherwise aware of, any material real property environmental liability, claim or non-compliance, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur remediation or other costs in connection with real property environmental matters in the future.

Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations

We currently sell our products in North America (the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada) and Europe.  Approximately 40.1%, 38.8%, and 37.8% of our net sales during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively were made by subsidiaries located outside of the United States.  For information pertaining to our international operations, see Note 12, “Segment and Related Information,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. The following sets forth selected information with respect to our operations, excluding discontinued operations, in those two geographic markets (in millions):
 
 
 
North
America
   
Europe and Asia
   
Total
 
2014
           
Net sales
 
$
2,252.9
   
$
1,189.9
   
$
3,442.8
 
Operating (loss)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(23.1
)
 
$
(25.9
)
Identifiable assets
 
$
580.0
   
$
314.9
   
$
894.9
 
 
                       
2013
                       
Net sales
 
$
2,256.9
   
$
1,095.4
   
$
3,352.3
 
Operating (loss)
 
$
(14.9
)
 
$
(5.7
)
 
$
(20.6
)
Identifiable assets
 
$
610.2
   
$
332.0
   
$
942.2
 
 
                       
2012
                       
Net sales
 
$
2,417.6
   
$
1,126.7
   
$
3,544.3
 
Operating (loss)
 
$
(63.6
)
 
$
23.7
   
$
(39.9
)
Identifiable assets
 
$
642.9
   
$
319.4
   
$
962.3
 
 
See Item 7, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, for further information with respect to our operations.

Available Information

We maintain an internet website at www.systemax.com. We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission and make available free of charge on or through this website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, including all amendments to those reports.  These are available as soon as is reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC.  All reports mentioned above are also available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The information on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

Our Board of Directors has adopted the following corporate governance documents with respect to the Company (the “Corporate Governance Documents”):

 
·
Corporate Ethics Policy for officers, directors and employees
 
·
Charter for the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
 
·
Charter for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
 
·
Charter for the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors
 
·
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles
 
In accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, each of the Corporate Governance Documents is available on our Company website (www.systemax.com).
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.

There are a number of factors and variables described below that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition. Other factors of which we are currently not aware or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our results of operations and financial position.

Risks Related to the Economy and Our Industries

 
·
General economic conditions, such as decreased consumer confidence and spending and reductions in manufacturing capacity have and could continue to result in our failure to achieve our historical sales growth rates and profit levels.

Current economic conditions may cause the loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s domestic and international markets which we believe resulted in a decrease of spending in the categories of products we sell in 2012, 2013 and 2014. With conditions in the market for technology products remaining highly competitive, reductions in our selling prices, as we have experienced in recent years, have adversely affected our revenues and profits and could continue to do so in the future.  It is also possible that as manufacturers react to the marketplace they may reduce manufacturing capacity or allocations to their customers creating shortages of product.  Both we and our customers are subject to global political, economic and market conditions, including inflation, interest rates, energy costs, the impact of natural disasters, military action and the threat of terrorism.  Our consolidated results of operations are directly affected by economic conditions in North America and Europe.  We may experience a decline in sales as a result of poor economic conditions and the lack of visibility relating to future orders, which occurred in 2012, 2013 and 2014.  Our results of operations depend upon, among other things, our ability to maintain and increase sales volumes with existing customers, our ability to limit price reductions and maintain our margins, our ability to attract new customers and the financial condition of our customers.  A decline in the economy that adversely affects our customers, causing them to limit or defer their spending, would likely adversely affect our sales, prices and profitability as well, which occurred in 2012, 2013 and  2014.  We cannot predict with any certainty whether we will be able to maintain or improve upon historical sales volumes with existing customers, or whether we will be able to attract new customers.

In response to economic and market conditions, from time to time we have undertaken initiatives to reduce our cost structure where appropriate.  These initiatives, as well as any future workforce and facilities reductions, may not be sufficient to meet current and future changes in economic and market conditions and allow us to continue to achieve the growth rates and re-attain the levels of profitability we experienced prior to the recent market downturns.  In addition, costs actually incurred in connection with our restructuring actions may be higher than our estimates of such costs and/or may not lead to the anticipated cost savings.
 
As more particularly describe below, on March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its business to business (''B2B'') operations.
 
 
·
The markets for our products and services are extremely competitive and if we are unable to successfully respond to our competitors’ strategies our sales and gross margins will be adversely affected.
 
We may not be able to compete effectively with current or future competitors.  The markets for our products and services are intensely competitive and subject to constant technological change.  The integration of formerly separate products such as cameras and GPS devices into cell phones, and the adverse impact of the boom in tablets sales on PC and laptop sales, demonstrate how rapid technological change can significantly affect the markets for the products we sell. We expect this competition and technological change to further intensify in the future. Competitive factors include price, availability, service and support.    Our ecommerce business faces pressure from competing with large, expanding ecommerce retailers.   Many of our competitors are larger companies with greater financial, marketing and product development resources than ours.  The market for the sale of industrial products in North America is highly fragmented and is characterized by multiple distribution channels such as small dealerships, direct mail distribution, internet-based resellers, large warehouse stores and retail outlets.  We also face competition from manufacturers’ own sales representatives, who sell industrial equipment directly to customers, and from regional or local distributors. In addition, new competitors may enter our markets.  This may place us at a disadvantage in responding to competitors’ pricing strategies, technological advances and other initiatives, resulting in our inability to increase our revenues or maintain our gross margins in the future.
 
 
In most cases our products compete directly with those offered by other manufacturers and distributors.  If any of our competitors were to develop products or services that are more cost-effective or technically superior, demand for our product offerings could decrease.

Our gross margins are also dependent on the mix of products we sell and could be adversely affected by a continuation of our customers’ shift to lower-priced products.

 
·
Sales tax laws may be changed or interpreted differently which could result in ecommerce and direct mail retailers having to collect sales taxes in states where the current laws do not require us to do so.  This could reduce demand for our products in such states and could result in us having substantial tax liabilities for past sales.

Our United States subsidiaries collect and remit sales tax in states in which the subsidiaries have physical presence or in which we believe sufficient nexus exists which obligates us to collect sales tax.  Other states may, from time to time, claim that we have state-related activities constituting physical nexus to require such collection.  Additionally, many other states seek to impose sales tax collection or reporting obligations on companies that sell goods to customers in their state, or directly to the state and its political subdivisions, regardless of physical presence.  Such efforts by states have increased recently, as states seek to raise revenues without increasing the income tax burden on residents. We rely on United States Supreme Court decisions which hold that, without Congressional authority, a state may not enforce a sales tax collection obligation on a company that has no physical presence in the state and whose only contacts with the state are through the use of interstate commerce such as the mailing of catalogs into the state and the delivery of goods by mail or common carrier.  We cannot predict whether the nature or level of contacts we have with a particular state will be deemed enough to require us to collect sales tax in that state nor can we be assured that Congress or individual states will not approve legislation authorizing states to impose tax collection or reporting obligations on all e-commerce and/or direct mail transactions.  A successful assertion by one or more states that we should collect sales tax on the sale of merchandise could result in substantial tax liabilities related to past sales and would result in considerable administrative burdens and costs for us and may reduce demand for our products from customers in such states when we charge customers for such taxes.

 
·
Events such as acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters, changes in law, or large losses could adversely affect our insurance coverage and insurance expense, resulting in an adverse affect on our profitability and financial condition.

We insure for certain property and casualty risks consisting primarily of physical loss to property, business interruptions resulting from property losses, worker’s compensation, comprehensive general liability, and auto liability.  Insurance coverage is obtained for catastrophic property and casualty exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract.  Although we believe that our insurance coverage is reasonable, significant events such as acts of war and terrorism, economic conditions, judicial decisions, legislation, natural disasters and large losses could materially affect our insurance obligations and future expense.

Risks Related to Our Company

 
·
We rely to a great extent on our information and telecommunications systems, and significant system failures or outages, or our failure to properly evaluate, upgrade or replace our systems, or the failure of our security/safety measures to protect our systems and websites, could have an adverse affect on our results of operations.

We rely on a variety of information and telecommunications systems in our operations.  Our success is dependent in large part on the accuracy and proper use of our information systems, including our telecommunications systems.  To manage our growth, we continually evaluate the adequacy of our existing systems and procedures, and are engaged in transitioning key features of our current information and operating systems to a new platform we have developed specifically for our needs; delays or operational problems in effectively implementing the transition could have a material adverse effect on our operations.  We anticipate that we will regularly need to make capital expenditures to upgrade and modify our management information systems, including software and hardware, as we grow and the needs of our business change.  The occurrence of a significant system failure, electrical or telecommunications outages or our failure to expand or successfully implement new systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Our information systems networks, including our websites, and applications could be adversely affected by viruses or worms and may be vulnerable to malicious acts such as hacking.  The availability and efficiency of sales via our websites could also be adversely affected by “denial of service” attacks and other unfair competitive practices.  Although we take preventive measures, these procedures may not be sufficient to avoid harm to our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

 
·
We are accelerating our focus on our B2B technology business and exiting the retail store consumer electronics business; the success of our North America Technology Products segment is dependent on our ability to grow our B2B business.

On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation , as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 . After completion of these actions the Company will see a substantial decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million.

There can be no assurance the Company will timely realize the level of proceeds it expects from the liquidation of the retail store inventory or that it will be able to timely exit its existing lease commitments at expected costs levels. Failure to achieve these expectations will result in increased cash exit costs for the Company and could have a material adverse effect on its operating results. The Company believes it will be able to maintain its key B2B vendor relationships despite decreases in previous levels of purchasing from those venders attributable to the closed retail store business; however, there can be no assurance the Company will not experience difficulties with certain vendor relationships.  There can be no assurance the Company can effectively transition former customers of its retail stores to become customers of the Company’s online websites. There can be no assurance that the exit activities described above , and the accelerated focusing of our efforts on B2B operations , will be sufficient to stabilize our North America Technology Products business and allow for the growth of our B2B business . There is no assurance that our marketing and merchandising strategies will improve our operating results.
 
 
·
We have recently completed two acquisitions; our operations will be impacted by our ability to timely and efficiently transition and integrate those acquisitions with the rest of our business in the US and EMEA.

There are risks and uncertainties associated with effecting acquisition transactions, particularly in integrating and managing the combined operations, technologies, technology platforms and products of the acquired companies and realizing the anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner. Our failure to do so could result in substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical or financial problems. Integration efforts also may divert management attention and resources.

We have made two acquisitions in the past twelve months, and there is a risk that integration difficulties or a significant decline in revenues of the acquired business may cause us not to realize expected benefits from the transactions and may affect our results. The success of these acquisitions depends on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the acquired businesses with our existing business, including growing the revenues of the acquired businesses through cross selling and other initiatives. We may not be able to achieve these objectives, in whole or in part, or be able to do so in a timely manner.  Furthermore, the acquired businesses are, and will in the short term  continue to be,  engaged in transitioning their businesses from the existing IT platforms on which they operate (and which are licensed from the sellers of those businesses under standard transition services agreements) to our IT platforms. This transition is complicated and affects many inter-related business functions; if we are unable to timely and effectively affect the IT transition aspect of the integration, or fail to do so without disruption, the acquired businesses operations and our results would be materially adversely affected. The integration process, and the issues that can arise, can be complex and unforeseen operating challenges or unbudgeted situations can occur. Additional risks in acquisition transactions may include our inability to timely and effectively integrate the acquired company’s accounting, human resource, and other administrative systems, and coordination of product, sales and marketing functions. In the case of foreign acquisitions, such as the acquisition of SCC/Misco, we will need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. Subject to certain exceptions, generally we will be responsible for the liabilities and obligations of the acquired businesses incurred or occurring prior to acquisition, including contingent liabilities. In this regard, we rely heavily on the representations and warranties provided to us by the sellers of acquired companies, including as they relate to compliance with laws and contractual requirements. If any of these representations and warranties is inaccurate or breached, such inaccuracy or breach could result in costly litigation and assessment of liability for which there may not be adequate recourse against such sellers, in part due to contractual time limitations and limitations of liability.
In addition difficulties in integrating acquired companies systems, controls, policies and procedures to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may occur. Finally, potential accounting charges to the extent intangibles recorded in connection with an acquisition, such as goodwill, trademarks, customer relationships or intellectual property, are later determined to be impaired and written down in value.
 
 
·
The establishment and integration of our shared service center in Hungary exposes us to various technology, regulatory and economic risks.

We opened our new shared services center in Budapest, Hungary during the second quarter of 2013 to facilitate the continued growth of our European Technology Products business. This new facility provides administrative and back office services for the existing European business, will help drive operational efficiencies and better serve the Company's pan-European operating strategy, and will serve as the sales location for future business in Eastern Europe. As an incentive to locate in Hungary, the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency (“HITA”) agreed to reimburse the Company for approximately 8% of payroll costs, up to a maximum of approximately $3.1 million, for the first 505 employees hired at the shared service center. The reimbursement is limited to the first twenty four months of employment for employees hired by December 2015 with all such reimbursements being completed by December 2017.  In return for this incentive, the Company has committed to maintaining certain employment levels through 2020.  Failure by the Company to maintain these employment levels will result in the repayment of a portion or all of the related reimbursements we may receive with interest.

Our efforts to operate our European business in a more centralized manner, rather than on an individual country by country basis, requires us to implement changes in our business processes, eliminate redundancies, relocate and/or hire new personnel, transition our information management systems, and integrate the new operation into our existing business seamlessly and without disruption to our operations, customers and vendors. However, changes in economic, regulatory or political conditions in Hungary, delays or operational problems in transitioning our information management systems, which we have experienced, a lower than expected impact of the facility on the Company’s European operations, costs and capital expenditures, the ability to timely hire and train new employees in Hungary, and delays, impediments or other problems associated with its establishment, could all have a material adverse effect on our European operations and our results of operations.

 
·
We rely on third party suppliers for most of our products and services. The loss or interruption of these relationships could impact our sales volumes, the levels of inventory we must carry, and/or result in sales delays and/or higher inventory costs from new suppliers.  Co-operative advertising and other sales incentives provided by our suppliers have decreased and could decrease further in the future thereby increasing our expenses and adversely affecting our results of operations and cash flows.

We purchase a substantial portion of our technology products from major distributors and directly from large manufacturers who may deliver those products directly to our customers.  These relationships enable us to make available to our customers a wide selection of products without having to maintain large amounts of inventory.  The termination or interruption of our relationships with any of these suppliers could materially adversely affect our business.

We purchase a number of our products from vendors outside of the United States.  Difficulties encountered by one or several of these suppliers could halt or disrupt production and delay completion or cause the cancellation of our orders. Delays or interruptions in the transportation network could result in loss or delay of timely receipt of product required to fulfill customer orders.  Our ability to find qualified vendors who meet our standards and supply products in a timely and efficient manner is a significant challenge, especially with respect to goods sourced from outside the U.S.  Political or financial instability, merchandise quality issues, product safety concerns, trade restrictions, work stoppages, tariffs, foreign currency exchange rates, transportation capacity and costs, inflation, civil unrest, outbreaks of pandemics and other factors relating to foreign trade are beyond our control.  These and other issues affecting our vendors could materially adversely affect our revenue and gross profit .
 
Many product suppliers provide us with co-operative advertising support in exchange for featuring their products in our catalogs and on our internet sites.  Certain suppliers provide us with other incentives such as rebates, reimbursements, payment discounts, price protection and other similar arrangements.  These incentives are offset against cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses, as applicable.  The level of co-operative advertising support and other incentives received from suppliers has declined and may decline further in the future, increasing our cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses and have an adverse effect on results of operations and cash flows.

 
·
Goodwill and intangible assets may become impaired resulting in a charge to earnings.

The Company has made acquisitions in the past of other businesses and these acquisitions resulted in the recording of significant intangible assets and/or goodwill. We are required to test goodwill and intangible assets annually to determine if the carrying values of these assets are impaired or on a more frequent basis if indicators of impairment exist. If any of our goodwill or intangible assets are determined to be impaired we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in the period during which the impairment is discovered.  In the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2013, our North American Technology Products segment recorded impairment charges of intangible assets of $0.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and in 2013 impairment charges were also recorded related to goodwill.  Although the carrying amounts of intangible assets and goodwill are relatively small as of December 31, 2014, to the extent the Company makes acquisitions in the future there could again be material amounts of such assets recorded and subject to future impairment testing.

 
·
Our substantial international operations are subject to risks such as fluctuations in currency rates (which can adversely impact foreign revenues and profits when translated to US Dollars), foreign regulatory requirements, political uncertainty and the management of our growing international operations .

We operate internationally and as a result, we are subject to risks associated with doing business globally, such as risks related to the differing legal, political and regulatory requirements and economic conditions of many jurisdictions.  Risks inherent to operating internationally include:

 
·
Changes in a country’s economic or political conditions
 
·
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
 
·
Difficulties with staffing and managing international operations
 
·
Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements
 
·
Changes in transportation and shipping costs
 
·
Enforcement of intellectual property rights
 
The functional currencies of our businesses outside of the U.S. are the local currencies. Changes in exchange rates between these foreign currencies and the U.S. Dollar will affect the recorded levels of our assets, liabilities, net sales, cost of goods sold and operating margins and could result in exchange gains or losses. The primary currencies to which we have exposure are the European Union Euro, Canadian Dollar, British Pound Sterling, and the U.S. Dollar. Exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. Dollar in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may do so in the future.  Our operating results and profitability may be affected by any volatility in currency exchange rates and our ability to manage effectively our currency transaction and translation risks. For example, we currently have operations located in numerous countries outside the United States, and non-U.S. sales accounted for approximately 40.1% of our revenue during 2014.  To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, our foreign revenues and profits will be reduced when translated into U.S. dollars.

 
·
We are exposed to various inventory risks, such as being unable to profitably resell excess or obsolete inventory and/or the loss of product return rights and price protection from our vendors; such events could lower our gross margins or result in inventory write-downs that would reduce reported future earnings.

Our inventory is subject to risk due to technological change and changes in market demand for particular products. If we fail to manage our inventory of older products we may have excess or obsolete inventory.  We may have limited rights to return purchases to certain suppliers and we may not be able to obtain price protection on these items.  The elimination of purchase return privileges and lack of availability of price protection could lower our gross margin or result in inventory write-downs.

We also take advantage of attractive product pricing by making opportunistic bulk inventory purchases; any resulting excess and/or obsolete inventory that we are not able to re-sell could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Any inability to make such bulk inventory purchases may significantly impact our sales and profitability.
 
 
·
We depend on bank credit facilities to address our working capital and cash flow needs from time to time, and if we are unable to renew or replace these facilities, or borrowing capacity were to be reduced our liquidity and capital resources may be adversely affected.

We require significant levels of capital in our business to finance accounts receivable and inventory.  We maintain credit facilities in the United States to finance increases in our working capital if available cash is insufficient.  The amount of credit available to us at any point in time may be adversely affected by the quality or value of the assets collateralizing these credit lines.  In addition, in recent years global financial markets have experienced diminished liquidity and lending constraints.  Our ability to obtain future and/or increased financing to satisfy our requirements as our business expands could be adversely affected by economic and market conditions, credit availability and lender perception of our Company and industry .   Although our current credit facility expires in October 2015, we currently have no reason to believe that we will not be able to renew or replace our facilities when they reach maturity.

 
·
If we fail to observe certain restrictions and covenants under our credit facilities the lenders could refuse to waive such default, terminate the credit facility and demand immediate repayment, which would adversely affect our cash position and materially adversely affect our operations.

Our United States revolving credit agreement contains covenants restricting or limiting our ability to, among other things:

 
·
incur additional debt
 
·
create or permit liens on assets
 
·
make capital expenditures or investments
 
·
pay dividends

If we fail to comply with the covenants and other requirements set forth in the credit agreement, we would be in default and would need to negotiate a waiver agreement with the lenders.  Failure to agree on such a waiver could result in the lenders terminating the credit agreement and demanding repayment of any outstanding borrowings, which could adversely affect our cash position and adversely affect the availability of financing to us, which could materially impact our operations.

 
·
Our European employees are represented by unions or workers’ councils or are employed subject to local laws that are less favorable to employers than the laws of the U.S.

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 1,800 employees located in Europe and Asia. We have workers’ councils representing the employees of our France, Germany, and Netherlands operations, and trade unions representing our employees in Italy and Sweden and elected employee representatives for our employees in the United Kingdom and Spain. Most of these European employees are employed in countries in which employment laws provide greater bargaining or other rights to employees than the laws of the U.S. Such employment rights require us to work collaboratively with the legal representatives of the employees to effect any changes to labor arrangements. For example, most of our employees in Europe are represented by unions or workers’ councils that must approve certain changes in conditions of employment, including salaries and benefits and staff changes, and may impede efforts to restructure our workforce. Although we believe that we have a good working relationship with our employees, a strike, work stoppage or slowdown by our employees or significant dispute with our employees could result in a significant disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs.

 
·
We will operate three remaining retail stores in North America and Puerto Rico, and will continue to operate our online consumer electronics business; we must effectively manage our cost structure, such as inventory needs, point of sales systems and personnel as we accelerate our B2B business and seek to convert retail store customers to our online websites.

The Company needs to effectively manage its cost structure including the additional inventory needs, retail point of sales IT systems, retail personnel and leased facilities. Future growth in our North America Technology Products segment will be dependent on our ability to expand our B2B operations, to attract customers to our online consumer electronics offerings and to build brand loyalty.  The retail computer and consumer electronics business is highly competitive and has narrow gross margins.  If we fail to manage our growth and cost structure while maintaining high levels of service and meeting competitive pressures adequately, our business plan may not be achieved and may lead to reduced profitability . As stated previously, the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on B2B operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores, closing a distribution center, and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources solely with a B2B focus as well transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales .
 
·
The failure to timely and satisfactorily process manufacturers’ and our own rebate programs could negatively impact our customer satisfaction levels .

Similar to other companies in the technology products industry, we advertise manufacturers’ mail-in rebates on many products we sell and, in some cases, offer our own rebates.  These rebates are processed through third party vendors and in house.  If these rebates are not processed in a timely and satisfactory manner by either third party vendors or our in house operations, our reputation in the marketplace could be negatively impacted.

 
·
We may be unable to reduce prices in reaction to competitive pressures, or implement cost reductions or new product line expansion to address gross profit and operating margin pressures; failure to mitigate these pressures could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition .

The computer and consumer electronics industry is highly price competitive and gross profit margins are narrow and variable.  The Company’s ability to further reduce prices in reaction to competitive pressure is limited.  Additionally, gross margins and operating margins are affected by changes in factors such as vendor pricing, vendor rebate and/or price protection programs, product return rights, and product mix.  In 2014 pricing pressure continued to be prevalent in the markets we serve and we expect this to continue.  We may not be able to mitigate these pricing pressures and resultant declines in sales and gross profit margin with cost reductions in other areas or expansion into new product lines.  If we are unable to proportionately mitigate these conditions our operating results and financial condition may suffer.

 
·
We would be exposed to liability, including substantial fines and penalties and, in extreme cases, loss of our ability to accept credit cards, in the event our privacy and data security policies and procedures are inadequate to prevent security breaches of our consumer personal information and credit card information records.

In processing our sales orders we often collect personal information and credit card information from our customers.  The Company has privacy and data security policies in place which are designed to prevent security breaches, however, if a third party or a rogue employee or employees are able to bypass our network security, “hack into” our systems or otherwise compromise our customers’ personal information or credit card information, we could be subject to liability.  This liability may include claims for identity theft, unauthorized purchases and claims alleging misrepresentation of our privacy and data security practices or other related claims.  While the Company believes it conforms to appropriate Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) security standards where necessary for its various businesses, any breach involving the loss of credit card information may lead to PCI related fines in the millions of dollars.  In the event of a severe breach, credit card providers may prevent our accepting of credit cards. Any such liability related to the aforementioned risks could lead to reduced profitability and damage our brand(s) and/or reputation.

 
·
Failure to protect the integrity, security and use of our customers’ information could expose us to litigation and materially damage our standing with our customers.

The use of individually identifiable consumer data is regulated at the state, federal and international levels and we incur costs associated with information security – such as increased investment in technology and the costs of compliance with consumer protection laws.  Additionally, our internet operations and website sales depends upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, including the use of cashless payments.  While we have taken significant steps to protect customer and confidential information, there can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, the efforts of “hackers” and cyber criminals or other developments will prevent the compromise of our customer transaction processing capabilities and our customers’ personal data.  If any such compromise of our security were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operating results and financial condition and could subject us to litigation.

 
·
Sales to individual customers expose us to credit card fraud, which impacts our operations.  If we fail to adequately protect ourselves from credit card fraud, our operations could be adversely impacted.

Failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions could increase our expenses.  Increased sales to individual consumers, which are more likely to be paid for using a credit card, increases our exposure to fraud.  We employ technology solutions to help us detect the fraudulent use of credit card information.  However, if we are unable to detect or control credit card fraud, we may suffer losses as a result of orders placed with fraudulent credit card data, which could adversely affect our business.
 
 
·
Our business is dependent on certain key personnel.

Our business depends largely on the efforts and abilities of certain key senior management.  The loss of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse affect on our business and financial results.

 
·
We are subject to litigation risk due to the nature of our business, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits or other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. These may relate to, for example, patent, trademark or other intellectual property matters, employment law matters, states sales tax claims on internet/ecommerce transactions, product liability, commercial disputes, consumer sales practices, or other matters. In addition, as a public company we could from time to time face claims relating to corporate or securities law matters.  The defense and/or outcome of such lawsuits or proceedings could have a material adverse affect on our business. See “Legal Proceedings”.
 
Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax.  Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North America Technology Products business.  On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty and eighty  months’ imprisonment, respectively.  Following completion of their sentences, each is to be  placed on supervised release for a period of thirty-six months.  The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company.
 
As previously disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015, on January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena.  The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding.  Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records. The Company's independent accountants and another adviser have also received a grand jury subpoena to appear and submit documents in that regard. The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company.
 
 
·
Our profitability can be adversely affected by changes in our income tax exposure due to changes in tax rates or laws, changes in our effective tax rate due to changes in the mix of earnings among different countries, restrictions on utilization of tax benefits and changes in valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Changes in our income tax expense due to changes in the mix of U.S. and non-U.S. revenues and profitability, changes in tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability.  We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions.  Our effective tax rate has been in the past and could be in the future adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, restrictions on utilization of tax benefits, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws or by material audit assessments.  The carrying value of our deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income in those jurisdictions.  In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to audit in our various jurisdictions and a material assessment by a tax authority could affect our profitability. During 2014 the Company recorded non-cash valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets of its subsidiary in the U.K. of approximately $1.7 million.

 
·
Changes in accounting standards or practices, as well as new accounting pronouncements or interpretations, may require us to account for and report our financial results in a different manner in the future, which may be less favorable than the manner used historically.

A change in accounting standards or practices can have a significant effect on our reported results of operations.  New accounting pronouncements and interpretations of existing accounting rules and practices have occurred and may occur in the future.  Changes to existing rules may adversely affect our reported financial results.

 
·
Concentration of Ownership and Control Limits Stockholders Ability to Influence Corporate Actions

Richard Leeds, Robert Leeds, and Bruce Leeds (each are brothers and directors and executive officers of the Company), together with trusts for the benefit of certain members of their respective families and other entities controlled by them, control approximately 70% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Due to such holdings, the Leeds brothers together with these trusts and entities are able to determine the outcome of virtually all matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the appointment of management, amendment of our articles of incorporation, significant corporate transactions (such as a merger or other sale of our company or our assets), the payments of dividends on our common stock and the entering into of extraordinary transactions.  Further, a s a "controlled company" under NYSE rules,  the Company has elected to opt-out of certain New York Stock Exchange listing standards that, among other things, require listed companies to have a majority of independent directors on their board; the Company does however currently have an independent Audit, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees.  

 
·
Risk of Thin Trading and Volatility of our Common Stock Could Impact Stockholder Value

Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE and is thinly traded. Volatility of thinly traded stocks is typically higher than the volatility of more liquid stocks with higher trading volumes. The trading of relatively small quantities of shares of common stock by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. This may result in volatility in our stock price and could exacerbate the other volatility-inducing factors described below. The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations as a result of being thinly traded.

Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.
 
 
Item 2.
Properties.

We operate our business from numerous facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.  These facilities include our headquarters location, administrative offices, telephone call centers, distribution centers and retail stores.  Certain facilities handle multiple functions.  Most of our facilities are leased; certain are owned by the Company.

North America
 
As of December 31, 2014 we have five distribution centers in North America which aggregate approximately 1.9 million square feet, all of which are leased.  Our headquarters, administrative offices and call centers aggregate approximately 392,000 square feet, all of which are leased. 

The following table summarizes the geographic location of our North America stores at the end of 2014:
 
Location
 
Stores Open – 12/31/13
 
Store Openings/
(Store Closings)
 
Stores Open – 12/31/14
 
Delaware
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
Florida
 
17
 
(2)
 
15
 
Georgia
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
Illinois
 
4
 
-
 
4
 
North Carolina
 
1
 
-
 
1
 
Puerto Rico
 
2
 
-
 
2
 
Texas
 
4
 
-
 
4
 
Ontario, Canada
 
6
 
-
 
6
 
   
36
 
(2)
 
34
 
 
All of our retail stores are leased.  The retail stores average 21,955 square feet.

In March 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its B2B operations as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores and management operations.

Europe

As of December 31, 2014, we have three distribution centers in Europe which aggregate approximately 190,000 square feet.  Two of these, aggregating approximately 117,000 square feet are leased; one distribution center of approximately 73,000 square feet is owned by the Company.  Our administrative offices and call centers aggregate approximately 289,000 square feet, of which 212,000 square feet are leased and 77,000 square feet are owned by the Company.

Asia

As of December 31, 2014, we leased administrative offices in Asia of approximately 14,000 square feet.

Please refer to Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about leased properties, including aggregate rental expense for these properties.

Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits, claims, investigations and  proceedings including commercial, employment, consumer, personal injury and health and safety law matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  In addition, the Company is subject to various assertions, claims, proceedings and requests for indemnification concerning intellectual property, including patent infringement suits involving technologies that are incorporated in a broad spectrum of products the Company sells.  The Company is also audited by (or has initiated voluntary disclosure agreements with) numerous governmental agencies in various countries, including U.S. Federal and state authorities, concerning potential income tax, sales tax and unclaimed property liabilities.  These matters are in various stages of investigation, negotiation and/or litigation, and are being vigorously defended.  In this regard, the State of New York has claimed that certain of the Company’s consumer electronics e-commerce sales are subject to sales tax in those states.  The Company intends to vigorously defend these matters and believes it has strong defenses.  The Company is also being audited by an entity representing 45 states seeking recovery of “unclaimed property”.  The Company is complying with the audit and is providing requested information.
 
 
Although the Company does not expect, based on currently available information, that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations, the ultimate outcome is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable and estimable.  In this regard, the Company establishes accrual estimates for its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred at the date of the financial statements and the loss can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2014 the Company has established accruals for certain of its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings based upon estimates of the most likely outcome in a range of loss or the minimum amounts in a range of loss if no amount within a range is a more likely estimate.  The Company does not believe that at December 31, 2014 any reasonably possible losses in excess of the amounts accrued would be material to the financial statements.
 
  Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax.  Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North American Technology Products business.  On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty  and eighty  months’ imprisonment, respectively.  Following completion of their sentences, each is to be placed on supervised release for a period of thirty-six months.  The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company.
 
As previously disclosed in a Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015, on January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena. The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding. Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records. The Company's independent accountants have also received a grand jury subpoena to appear and submit documents in that regard. The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company.
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.
 
PART II

Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Systemax common stock is traded on the NYSE Euronext Exchange under the symbol “SYX.”  The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.

   
High
   
Low
 
2014
       
First Quarter
  $
15.28
    $
10.86
 
Second Quarter
   
18.25
     
14.12
 
Third Quarter
   
16.41
     
12.30
 
Fourth Quarter
   
16.21
     
12.28
 
                 
2013
               
First Quarter
  $
11.20
    $
9.38
 
Second Quarter
   
9.97
     
8.50
 
Third Quarter
   
9.87
     
9.04
 
Fourth Quarter
   
11.66
     
9.12
 

On December 27, 2014, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $13.58 per share.  As of December 27, 2014, we had 171 shareholders of record.

On November 29, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $0.25 per share payable on December 21, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 12, 2012.

Depending in part upon profitability, the strength of our balance sheet, our cash position and the need to retain cash for the development and expansion of our business, we may decide to declare special dividends in the future, subject to availability limitations under our credit facilities.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans and a performance graph relating to the Company’s common stock is set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.

The following selected financial information is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained elsewhere in this report.  The selected statement of operations data, excluding discontinued operations, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 2014 and 2013 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere in this report.  The selected balance sheet data as of December 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the selected statement of operations data for fiscal years 2011 and 2010 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company which are not included in this report.
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
(In millions, except per share data)
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                   
Net sales
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
   
$
3,544.3
   
$
3,680.6
   
$
3,589.0
 
Gross profit
 
$
493.2
   
$
482.9
   
$
485.8
   
$
527.6
   
$
488.0
 
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(25.9
)
 
$
(20.6
)
 
$
(39.9
)
 
$
80.8
   
$
68.8
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(37.5
)
 
$
(43.8
)
 
$
(8.0
)
 
$
54.6
   
$
42.6
 
Per Share Amounts :
                                       
Net income (loss) — diluted
 
$
(1.01
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
1.47
   
$
1.13
 
Weighted average common shares — diluted
   
37.1
     
37.0
     
36.9
     
37.1
     
37.6
 
Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
0.25
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Working capital
 
$
312.1
   
$
345.8
   
$
360.8
   
$
354.8
   
$
300.9
 
Total assets
 
$
894.9
   
$
942.2
   
$
962.3
   
$
889.7
   
$
894.1
 
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
 
$
0.9
   
$
2.9
   
$
5.4
   
$
7.1
   
$
7.4
 
Shareholders’ equity
 
$
359.6
   
$
406.2
   
$
446.3
   
$
454.3
   
$
409.3
 
 
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

Systemax is primarily a direct marketer of brand name and private label products. Our operations are organized in two reportable business segments — Technology Products and Industrial Products.

Technology Products

Our Technology Products segment primarily sells ICT and CE products.  These products are marketed in North America, Puerto Rico and Europe. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured for our own design and marketed on a private label basis.  Technology products accounted for 84%, 86% and 89% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 . After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million.
 
As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada in 2014,   and a forecast for continued use of cash in future periods, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived and other intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired.   Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $ 10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.
 
On June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (“SCC”) (renamed Misco Solutions B.V.), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands.    The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. This acquisition expands the Company’s business in the Netherlands.

In 2013, the Company opened a shared services center in Budapest, Hungary to facilitate the continued growth of its European Technology Products business.  This new facility provides administrative and back office services for the existing European business, will help drive operational efficiencies and better serve the Company’s pan-European operating strategy, and will serve as the sales location for future business in Eastern Europe. As an incentive to locate in Hungary, the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency (“HITA”) agreed to reimburse the Company for approximately 8% of payroll costs, up to a maximum of approximately $3.1 million, for the first 505 employees hired at the shared service center. The reimbursement is limited to the first twenty four months of employment for employees hired by December 2015 with all such reimbursements being completed by December 2017.  In return for this incentive, the Company has committed to maintaining certain employment levels through 2020.  Failure by the Company to maintain these employment levels will result in pro rata repayment of related reimbursements with interest.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, certain subsidiaries of the Company sold CompUSA intellectual property assets (primarily domain names, trademarks and certain historical customer information) and accordingly the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico.  The Company wrote off approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company conducted an evaluation, in 2012, of its Technology Products multi-brand United States consumer strategy and the intangible assets used in that strategy and concluded that the Company’s future North American consumer business would be optimized by consolidating its United States consumer operations under TigerDirect, its leading and largest brand.  This consolidation resulted in a write off of the intangible assets and goodwill of CompUSA and Circuit City of approximately $35.3 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company exited the PC manufacturing operations after conducting an evaluation of its operations and concluded that the Company’s North American technology results would be enhanced by exiting the computer manufacturing business.  The exit resulted in a write down of the carrying cost of the Company’s computer manufacturing facilities, related equipment and inventory of approximately $4.6 million.  An additional asset write down of the Company’s computer manufacturing facilities of approximately $1.2 million was made during 2013.   The computer manufacturing facility was sold in the second quarter of 2014.

Industrial Products

Our Industrial Products segment sells a wide array of MRO products which are marketed in North and Central America. Most of these products are manufactured by other companies; however, the Company does offer a selection of products that are manufactured for our own design and marketed under the trademarks Global™ , GlobalIndustrial.com™ and Nexel™. Industrial products accounted for 16%, 14% and   11% of our net sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In both of these product groups, we offer our customers a broad selection of products, prompt order fulfillment and extensive customer service.
 
On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKT America for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were de minimis. Integration of this acquired business is in process and proceeding timely and efficiently. This acquisition expands the Company’s regional footprint and its market share.

Discontinued Operations

We exited the Software Solutions segment in June 2009.  One customer remained being serviced by the Company until the second quarter of 2012. The termination of this customer has resulted in all current and prior period results for this business segment to be classified as discontinued operations.  See Note 12 to the Consolidated   Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K for additional financial information about our business segments as well as information about our geographic operations.

Operating Conditions

The market for computer products and consumer electronics is subject to intense price competition and is characterized by narrow gross profit margins. The North American industrial products market is highly fragmented and we compete against multiple distribution channels. Distribution is working capital intensive, requiring us to incur significant costs associated with the warehousing of many products, including the costs of maintaining inventory, leasing warehouse space, inventory management systems, and employing personnel to perform the associated tasks. We supplement our on-hand product availability by maintaining relationships with major distributors and manufacturers, utilizing a combination of stock and drop-shipment fulfillment.
 
The primary component of our operating expenses historically has been employee-related costs, which includes items such as wages, commissions, bonuses, employee benefits and stock option expenses. We continually assess our operations to ensure that they are efficient, aligned with market conditions and responsive to customer needs.

In the discussion of our results of operations we refer to business to business channel sales, consumer channel sales and period to period constant currency comparisons.  In the North American Technology Products business, we consider business to business (“B2B”) channel sales to be sales made direct to other businesses and government/public sector entities through managed business relationships, outbound call centers and extranets.  Sales in the Industrial Products segment, European Technology Products and Corporate and other are considered to be B2B sales.  Consumer (“B2C”) channel sales are sales from retail stores, consumer websites, inbound call centers and television shopping channels.  Constant currency refers to the adjustment of the results of our foreign operations to exclude the effects of period to period fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. These judgments are based on historical experience , observation of trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Management believes that full consideration has been given to all relevant circumstances that we may be subject to, and the consolidated financial statements of the Company accurately reflect management’s best estimate of the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company for the years presented. We identify below a number of policies that entail significant judgments or estimates, the assumptions and or judgments used to determine those estimates and the potential effects on reported financial results if actual results differ materially from these estimates.

Accounting policy
 
Assumptions and uncertainties
 
Quantification and analysis of effect on actual results if estimates differ materially
Revenue Recognition. We recognize product sales when persuasive evidence of an order arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time of receipt by customers when title and risk of loss both are transferred, except in our Industrial Products segment where title and risk pass at time of shipment. Sales are presented net of returns and allowances, rebates and sales incentives.  Reserves for estimated returns and allowances are provided when sales are recorded, based on historical experience and current trends.
 
Our revenue recognition policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to the timing and amounts of future sales returns. Sales returns are estimated based upon historical experience and current known trends.
 
 
We have not made any material changes to our sales return reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable . We record an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect our estimate of the collectibility of our trade accounts receivable. While bad debt allowances have been within expectations and the provisions established, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same allowance rate we have in the past.
 
Our allowance for doubtful accounts policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to collectibility of aged accounts receivable and chargebacks from credit card sales. We evaluate the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including an analysis of the age of customer accounts and our historical experience with accounts receivable write-offs. The analysis also includes the financial condition of a specific customer or industry, and general economic conditions.  In circumstances where we are aware of customer credit card charge-backs or a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific reserve for bad debts applicable to amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount management reasonably believes will be collected is recorded. In those situations with ongoing discussions, the amount of bad debt recognized is based on the status of the discussions.
We have not made any material changes to our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.
 
A change of 10% in our allowance for doubtful accounts reserve at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $0.6 million.
 
Inventory valuation .  We value our inventories at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method except in certain locations in Europe and retail locations where an average cost is used. Excess and obsolete or unmarketable merchandise are written down based on historical experience, assumptions about future product demand and market conditions. If market conditions are less favorable than projected or if technological developments result in accelerated obsolescence, additional write-downs may be required. While obsolescence and resultant markdowns have been within expectations, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same level of markdowns we have in the past.
 
Our inventory reserve policy contains assumptions and judgments made by management related to inventory aging, obsolescence, credits that we may obtain for returned merchandise, shrink and consumer demand.
We have not made any material changes to our inventory reserve policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material loss adjustment.
 
A change of 10% in our inventory reserves at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $0.8 million.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. We apply the provisions of relevant accounting guidance in our valuation of goodwill, trademarks, domain names, client lists and other intangible assets. Relevant accounting guidance requires that goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles be reviewed at least annually for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The amount of an impairment loss would be recognized as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value.
 
Our impairment testing involves judgments and uncertainties, quantitative and qualitative, related to the use of discounted cash flow models and forecasts of future results, both of which involve significant judgment and may not be reliable. Significant management judgment is necessary to evaluate the operating environment and economic conditions that exist to develop a forecast for a reporting unit. Assumptions related to the discounted cash flow models we use include the inputs used to determine the Company’s weighted average cost of capital including a market risk premium, the beta of a reporting unit, reporting unit specific risk premiums and terminal growth values. Critical assumptions related to the forecast inputs used in our discounted cash flow models include projected sales growth, same store sales growth, gross margin percentages, new business opportunities, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and growth in selling, general and administrative expense. We also use our Company's market capitalization and comparable company market data to validate our reporting unit valuations.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have not made any material changes to our goodwill policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future.
 
We recorded goodwill and intangible assets related to the June 2014 SCC acquisition of approximately $2.7 million and in the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded intangible asset impairment charges related to our retail operations in the United States and Canada (see below).  We have approximately $7.4 million in goodwill and intangible assets at December 31, 2014.  We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine whether any of our remaining goodwill or intangible assets are impaired will change materially in the future. However if the inputs used in our discounted cash flow models or our forecasts are materially different than actual experience we could incur impairment charges that are material.
 
As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada and a forecast for continued cash use, the Company conducted an evaluation of the intangible assets of its Technology Products segment in North America and concluded that intangible assets were impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million, pre-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2014.
 
In 2013 we sold CompUSA intellectual property assets and accordingly the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico and rebranded its operations there as TigerDirect.  The Company wrote off the remaining carrying value of approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico.
 
Long-lived Assets. Management exercises judgment in evaluating our long-lived assets for impairment and in their depreciation and amortization methods and lives including evaluating undiscounted cash flows.
The impairment analysis for long lived assets requires management to make judgments about useful lives and to estimate fair values of long lived assets. It may also require us to estimate future cash flows of related assets using discounted cash flow model. Our estimates of future cash flows involve assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions. While we believe that our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect our evaluations.
We have not made any material changes to our long lived assets policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future.
 
In 2014 the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in its North America Technology Products segment and concluded that an impairment charge of $9.5 million, pre-tax, be recorded.
 
We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates and assumptions used to determine long lived asset impairment will vary materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.
 
A change of 10% in the carrying value of our long lived assets would impact net income by approximately $4.1 million.
     
Vendor Accruals. Our contractual agreements with certain suppliers provide us with funding or allowances for costs such as price protection, markdowns and advertising as well as funds or allowances for purchasing volumes.
 
Generally, allowances received as a reimbursement of identifiable costs are recorded as an expense reduction when the cost is incurred. Sales related allowances are generally determined by our level of purchases of product and are deferred and recorded as a reduction of inventory carrying value and are ultimately included as a reduction of cost of goods when inventory is sold.
Management makes assumptions and exercises judgment in estimating period end funding and allowances earned under our various agreements. Estimates are developed based on the terms of our vendor agreements and using existing expenditures for which funding is available, determining products whose market price would indicate coverage for markdown or price protection is available and estimating the level of our performance under agreements that provide funds or allowances for purchasing volumes. Estimates of funding or allowances for purchasing volume will include projections of annual purchases which are developed using current actual purchase data and historical purchase trends. Accruals in interim periods could be materially different if actual purchase volumes differ from projections.
We have not made any material changes to our vendor accrual policy in the past three years nor do we anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future.

If actual results are different from the projections used we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.

A change of 10% in our vendor accruals at December 31, 2014 would impact net income by approximately $1.4 million.
 
Income Taxes. We are subject to taxation from federal, state and foreign jurisdictions and the determination of our tax provision is complex and requires significant management judgment.
 
We conduct operations in numerous U.S. states and foreign locations. Our effective tax rate depends upon the geographic distribution of our pre-tax income or losses among locations with varying tax rates and rules. As the geographic mix of our pre-tax results among various tax jurisdictions changes, the effective tax rate may vary from period to period. We are also subject to periodic examination from domestic and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These examinations include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. We establish as needed, and periodically reevaluate, an estimated income tax reserve on our consolidated balance sheet to provide for the possibility of adverse outcomes in income tax proceedings. While management believes that we have identified all reasonably identifiable exposures and whether or not a reserve is appropriate, it is possible that additional exposures exist and/or that exposures may be settled at amounts different than the amounts reserved.
 
The determination of deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances that might be necessary requires management to make significant judgments concerning the ability to realize net deferred tax assets. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income there are judgments and uncertainties related to the development of forecasts of future results that may not be reliable. Significant management judgment is also necessary to evaluate the operating environment and economic conditions that exist to develop a forecast for a reporting unit. Where management has determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a valuation allowance. If the realization of those deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made.
We have not made any material changes to our income tax policy in the past three years and we do not anticipate making any material changes to this policy in the future.
 
We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine our deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances will change materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company recorded a non-cash valuation allowance against its deferred assets in the U.K. of approximately $1.7 million.
 
A change of 5% in our effective tax rate at December 31, 2014, excluding the non-cash valuation allowance, would impact net income by approximately $0.2 million.
Special charges.  We have recorded reorganization, restructuring and other charges in the past and could in the future commence further reorganization, restructuring and other activities which result in recognition in charges to income.
The recording of reorganization, restructuring and other charges may involve  assumptions and judgments about future costs and timing for amounts  related to personnel terminations, stay bonuses, lease termination costs, lease sublet revenues, outplacement services, contract termination costs, asset impairments and other exit costs. Management may estimate these costs using existing contractual and other data or may rely on third party expert data.
When we incur a liability related to these actions, we estimate and record all appropriate expenses. We do not believe it is reasonably likely that the estimates or assumptions used to determine our reorganization, restructuring and other charges will change materially in the future. However if our estimates are materially different than our actual experience we could have a material gain or loss adjustment.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company recorded special charges of $24.4 million for reorganization, restructuring and asset impairment and other charges.
 
Recently Adopted and Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Public companies in the United States are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements of various authorities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These authorities issue numerous pronouncements, most of which are not applicable to the Company’s current or reasonably foreseeable operating structure. Below are the new authoritative pronouncements that management believes are relevant to the Company’s current operations.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”.  This ASU provides new guidance related to the definition of a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.  This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Beginning in 2015, the Company will apply this new guidance, as applicable.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.  This ASU provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.  In addition, this ASU specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers.  This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of the adoption, with early application not permitted.  The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact, if any, on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Highlights from 2014
The discussion of our results of operations and financial condition that follows will provide information that will assist in understanding our financial statements and information about how certain accounting principles and estimates affect the consolidated financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included herein.

 
·
Consolidated sales increased 2.7% to $3.4 billion; on a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, sales increased 0.6%.
 
·
B2B channel sales increased 8.9% to $2.6 billion; on a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, sales increased 5.6%.
 
·
B2C channel sales declined 11.7% to $0.9 billion; on a constant currency basis, sales declined 11.0%.
 
·
Movements in exchange rates positively impacted European sales by approximately $24.0 million and negatively impacted Canadian sales by approximately $13.8 million.
 
·
$11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations were recorded.
 
·
Impairment charges related to long-lived and other intangible assets of $10.0 million, pre-tax, were incurred.
 
Results of Operations

Key Performance Indicators* (in millions):

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
%
Change
   
2013
   
2012
   
%
Change
 
Net sales by segment:
                       
Technology Products
 
$
2,880.9
   
$
2,873.3
     
0.3
%
 
$
2,873.3
   
$
3,137.6
     
(8.4
)%
Industrial Products
   
556.0
     
473.8
     
17.3
%
   
473.8
     
401.9
     
17.9
%
Corporate and other
   
5.9
     
5.2
     
13.5
%
   
5.2
     
4.8
     
8.3
%
Consolidated net sales
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
     
2.7
%
 
$
3,352.3
   
$
3,544.3
     
(5.4
)%
Net sales by channel:
                                               
Technology Products - EMEA
 
$
1,189.9
   
$
1,095.4
     
8.6
%
 
$
1,095.4
   
$
1,126.7
     
(2.8
)%
Technology Products – NA (B2B)
   
800.0
     
769.3
     
4.0
%
   
769.3
     
797.3
     
(3.5
)%
Industrial Products
   
556.0
     
473.8
     
17.3
%
   
473.8
     
401.9
     
17.9
%
Corporate and other
   
5.9
     
5.2
     
13.5
%
   
5.2
     
4.8
     
8.3
%
Total B2B
 
$
2,551.8
   
$
2,343.7
     
8.9
%
 
$
2,343.7
   
$
2,330.7
     
0.6
%
Technology Products – NA (Consumer)
   
891.0
     
1,008.6
     
(11.7
)%
   
1,008.6
     
1,213.6
     
(16.9
)%
Consolidated net sales
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
     
2.7
%
 
$
3,352.3
   
$
3,544.3
     
(5.4
)%
Consolidated gross margin
   
14.3
%    
14.4
%
   
(0.1
)%
   
14.4
%
   
13.7
%
   
0.7
%
Consolidated SG&A costs**
 
$
519.1
   
$
503.5
     
3.1
%
 
$
503.5
   
$
525.7
     
(4.2
)%
Consolidated SG&A   costs** as % of sales
   
15.1
%
   
15.0
%
   
0.1
%
   
15.0
%
   
14.8
%
   
0.2
%
Operating (loss) from continuing operations by segment:**
                                               
Technology Products
 
$
(51.3
)
 
$
(40.6
)
   
26.4
%
 
$
(40.6
)
 
$
(46.9
)
   
(13.4
)%
Industrial Products
   
41.0
     
40.0
     
2.5
%
   
40.0
     
29.9
     
33.8
%
Corporate and other
   
(15.6
)
   
(20.0
)
   
(22.0
)%
   
(20.0
)
   
(22.9
)
   
(12.7
)%
Consolidated operating (loss)
 
$
(25.9
)
 
$
(20.6
)
   
(25.7
)%
 
$
(20.6
)
 
$
(39.9
)
   
(48.4
)%
Operating margin from continuing operations by segment :**
                                               
Technology Products
   
(1.8
)%
   
(1.4
)%
   
(0.4
)%
   
(1.4
)%
   
(1.5
)%
   
0.1
%
Industrial Products
   
7.4
%
   
8.4
%
   
(1.0
)%
   
8.4
%
   
7.4
%
   
1.0
%
Consolidated operating margin from continuing operations
   
(0.8
)%
   
(0.6
)%
   
(0.2
)%
   
(0.6
)%
   
(1.1
)%
   
0.5
%
Effective income tax rate
   
15.0
%
   
100.9
%
   
(85.9
)%
   
100.9
%
   
80.8
%
   
20.1
%
Net (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(37.5
)
 
$
(43.8
)
   
(14.4
)%
 
$
(43.8
)
 
$
(8.0
)
   
447.5
%
Net margin from continuing operations
   
(1.1
)%
   
(1.3
)%
   
0.2
%
   
(1.3
)%
   
(0.2
)%
   
(1.1
)%

*excludes discontinued operations
** includes special charges, net (See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

NET SALES

SEGMENTS:

The Technology Products segment, which includes our European and North American technology operations, showed sales improvement, benefiting from the June 2014 SCC Services acquisition, strong sales growth in France, improved B2B sales from certain markets in Europe and North America and favorable movements in exchange rates.  On a constant currency basis and excluding the SCC Services acquisition, Technology Products net sales decreased 2.3%. However, sales in our consumer and retail business continued the trend of softness in the North American consumer channels, principally internet and retail sales.  The Company continues to believe the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends, including consumer preferences for new generation tablets, which erode laptop and desktop PC sales, the market share for tablets held by a major manufacturer, which does not sell to the Company for U.S. markets, the consolidation of prior generations of separate devices and functions into a single integrated device (such as GPS and cameras being integrated with smart phones), the ongoing movement of traditional brick and mortar store sales to online/ecommerce vendors, and the increasing influence of a dominant company in the online/ecommerce marketplace. The Company expects these trends to continue for the foreseeable future and after an extensive review and planning process, the Company is taking actions that will include the exit of substantially all retail store operations; closing a distribution center and implementing a general workforce reduction to realign available resources with a B2B focus.
 
The Industrial Products net sales increase in 2014 is attributable to expanding our product assortment in new and core product categories, the continued expansion of our private label and brand name selections as well as investment in hiring sales personnel and subject matter experts, who bring significant technical knowledge in specific categories, thus enhancing our sales efforts with information important to our customers. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 17.7%.

The Technology Products net sales decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 was attributable to general declines in most product categories within North America, with the largest decline being in the CE product category.  The Company believes major drivers of the decline in North America net sales was attributable to web, television and retail store sales declines, resulting from sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories such as personal computers and televisions. The Company believes the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends, including consumer preferences for new generation tablets, which erode laptop and desktop PC sales, the market share for tablets held by a major manufacturer, which does not sell to the Company for U.S. markets, the consolidation of prior generations of separate devices and functions into a single integrated device (such as GPS and cameras being integrated with smart phones), the ongoing movement of traditional brick and mortar store sales to online/ecommerce vendors, and the increasing influence of a dominant company in the online/commerce marketplace. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company made the decision to avoid lowering selling prices to match aggressive online retailers.  Strong computer and consumer electronic sales within European markets were more than offset by weak sales of computer accessories, software and computer components in Europe and the declines in North America.  On a constant currency basis, sales declined 8.6% or $270.8 million.  The Industrial Products segment net sales increase in 2013 compared to 2012 was attributable to the new product category offerings on the Company's websites, solid results from our core offerings, as well as the expansion of our private label and brand name selections. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 18.0% or $72.5 million.

CHANNEL SALES:

Business to business sales:

The Company experienced growth in worldwide B2B channel sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2013.

The European Technology Products sales increase is attributable to continued sales growth in France, incremental sales from SCC Services, acquired in June 2014, and favorable currency movements during the year. On a constant currency basis and excluding SCC Services, European Technology Products net sales increased 0.9%.
 
The North American Technology Products B2B sales increase is attributable to an increase in the sale of computer components, commercial desktops, laptops and servers during the year.  On a constant currency basis, North American Technology Products business to business net sales grew 4.7%. The North American Technology Products B2B business has experienced strong growth over the last several years, but there can be no assurance that this business will continue to achieve its historical growth rates in future periods.

The Industrial Products net sales increase is attributable to broad based growth across both new and core product categories and the continued expansion of our private label and brand name selections and the hiring of additional sales personnel and subject matter experts.  On a constant currency basis, Industrial Products net sales increased 17.7%.

The increase in consolidated B2B channel sales in 2013 compared to 2012 was driven by the Industrial Products segment’s growth in new product categories on the Company’s website and a solid performance in core offerings.  The Technology Products segment’s European operations showed modest improvement in B2B channel sales compared to 2013 which was offset by a decline in its North American B2B sales.  On a constant currency basis, worldwide B2B channel sales grew 2.0% in 2013.
 
Consumer sales:
 
On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales. 
 
The North American Technology Products consumer sales decline resulted from the closing of retail stores in 2013 that contributed approximately $36.2 million in sales for the year 2013, and from continued softness in television shopping, internet and retail sales.  Consumer channel sales declines were primarily the result of declines in sales of personal computers and televisions driven by both volume and selling price erosion.  On a constant currency basis, North American Technology Products consumer sales declined 11.0%.

The decline in consolidated B2C channel sales in 2013 compared to 2012 resulted from continued weakness in our internet, television and retail stores sales in North America. B2C channel sales declines, similar to many in the industry, were the result of sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories.  The Company believes that the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics is attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends.  The strategic decision not to chase promotional product pricing in the fourth quarter of 2013 also contributed to the sales declines. On a constant currency basis, worldwide B2C channel sales declined 16.7%.

GROSS MARGIN

The consolidated gross margin decline in 2014 is related to Technology Products segment reduced selling margins in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and slight decline in the Industrial Products segment drive n by product mix as we have begun stocking more domestically sourced products.   Gross margin is dependent on variables such as product mix, vendor price protection and other sales incentives, competition, pricing strategy, cooperative advertising funds required to be classified as a reduction to cost of sales, freight discounting and other variables, any or all of which may result in fluctuations in gross margin .
 
The consolidated gross margin increase in 2013 is due to Industrial Products sales contributing a larger percentage to gross profit dollars as compared to 2013, improved freight margins, and the benefit from the utilization of the New Jersey distribution center. Technology Products gross margin increase is due to improved freight performance in North America and maintaining product pricing, even though net sales declined.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“SG&A”), EXCLUDING SPECIAL CHARGES

SG&A expense increases for the year ended December 31, 2014 are primarily attributable to our Industrial and European Technology Products B2B business, partially offset by expense decreases in North America Technology Products compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.  Significant expense increases related to the Industrial Products segment include increased salary and related costs of approximately $5.6 million due to increased sales and product management headcount, and increased internet advertising spending of approximately $8.5 million compared to 2013.  The Industrial Products segment is expected to increase its advertising spend, in particular internet advertising, as it continues to expand its online product offerings and increase its ecommerce presence. In Europe, the Technology Products segment also had increased SG&A expenses due primarily to a continued overlap in costs as we transition functions from individual country operations to our European shared services center. The significant expense increases include approximately $4.4 million of increased salary and related costs of additional sales personnel and additional headcount for the shared services center, partially offset by $0.6 million in reimbursements for shared service center salaries under the incentive agreement with the Hungarian business development agencies, recorded in the second quarter of 2014.  Additionally, in Europe, for the year ended December 31, 2014 we had less vendor supported advertising revenue of approximately $3.7 million, increased computer and telephone maintenance of approximately $1.1 million and insurance, rent and related expense increases of approximately $2.6 million, offset by reduced internet advertising spend of approximately $1.9 million.  The Technology Products segment in North America had reduced SG&A expenses due to the closing of underperforming retail stores in the second quarter of 2013 and $2.3 million from the favorable resolution of the review of a professional service provider's billings recorded in the third quarter of 2014.  Significant expense decreases for the North America Technology include reduced salary and related costs of approximately $7.8 million, reduced rent and related costs of approximately $2.7 million, and $2.3 million from the favorable resolution of a the review of a professional service provider's billings recorded in the third quarter of 2014.
 
SG&A expense increases for the year ended December 31, 2013 are primarily attributable to our Industrial and European Technology Products BTB business, partially offset by expense decreases in North America Technology Products compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.  Significant expense increases related to the Industrial Products segment include increased salary and related costs of approximately $4.4 million, and increased internet advertising spending of approximately $10.5 million compared to 2012.  In Europe, the Technology Products segment also had increased SG&A expenses due to a temporary overlap in costs as we transitioned functions from individual country operations to our new European shared services center. The significant expense increase for Europe includes approximately $12.7 million of salary and related costs due to additional sales personnel and additional headcount for the shared services center, $1.6 million of rent and related expenses, and $0.9 million net advertising costs offset by a decrease in internet advertising expense of $0.6 million compared to 2012.  The Technology Products segment in North America had reduced SG&A expenses compared to 2012 due to the closing of underperforming retail stores.  Significant expense decreases include reduced salary and related costs of approximately $11.1 million, reduced rent and related costs of $1.4 million, decreased internet and net advertising spending of approximately $5.4 million, a decrease of approximately $2.3 million in expenses related to sales tax and other regulatory audits which were incurred in 2012, and decreased credit card fees of $3.6 million. Corporate & Other expenses segment recorded a benefit of approximately $1.3 million in lower personnel costs and a decrease in professional fees of approximately $0.7 million.

SPECIAL CHARGES, NET

The Company’s Technology Products segment incurred special charges of approximately $24.3 million in special charges. These charges, estimates of which were previously disclosed, included approximately $11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations, $0.5 million in continued recruitment costs to staff the European shared services center, $0.3 million in other costs related to the retail stores that were closed in 2013, $0.2 million in charges related to the final sale of the facility which had been used in connection with our previously exited PC manufacturing business, $0.1 million for changes in the estimate of lease valuation accruals and the buyout of the two retail store leases that were exited in 2013 prior to lease expiration (other exit costs) and $1.5 million for additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed investigation and settlement with former officers and employees.   In addition, as a result of negative cash flows in its operations in the United States and Canada in 2014 and a forecast for continued cash use, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived and intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Consequently an impairment charge of approximately $10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The Company incurred special charges in 2014 related to the restructure of certain small market operations in 2014.   The Company does not expect to incur any additional material charges in the future related to these restructurings or to complete the implementation of the European shared services center, but will expend cash of approximately $4.7 million, to settle costs accrued at December 31, 2014.  Expected impacts on future costs, when the shared services center is fully implemented, are expected to be a reduction in our annual cost structure in the $9 to $11 million range, pre-tax.

Corporate and other segment incurred $0.1 million of special charges related to severance costs in 2014.

The Company expects to incur special charges related to the closing of its retail stores of between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures during the first two quarters of 2015. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million.
 
The Company’s Technology Products segment, in both North America and Europe, incurred special charges of approximately $22.4 million during 2013.  These charges in North America include: (i) approximately $5.5 million for lease termination costs (calculated using the net present value of contractual gross lease payments net of estimated sublease rental income, or in the case of negotiated settlements, the buyout amount) and (ii) $2.0 million for fixed asset write offs related to the closing of underperforming retail stores, (iii) $2.9 million of one-time impairment charges related to intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico, (iv) $2.2 million of workforce reduction charges for senior management changes in the North American operations, (v) $1.0 million for reserve adjustments related to the facility closing and exit from the PC manufacturing business and (vi) $0.6 million of additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed completed investigation and settlement with a former officer and director.  The charges related to Europe include: (i) $5.9 million in workforce reductions and other exit costs related to the European shared services center implementation and other European workforce reductions, (ii) $1.8 million related to start up costs of the European shared services center and (iii) $0.5 million in continuing recruitment costs of the European shared services center.

The Company’s Industrial Products segment incurred special charges, in 2013, of approximately $0.1 million for personnel costs and benefited from an adjustment to lease termination costs of approximately $0.3 million related to the planned closing and relocation of one of our smaller distribution centers to a new, significantly larger distribution and call center in the second quarter of 2012. In Technology Products, approximately $11.9 million of these charges incurred were non-cash.
 
OPERATING MARGIN

The decline in operating margin in Technology Products segment for 2014 was primarily related to reduced selling margins in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, increased expenses in Europe resulting from a temporary duplication of local functions and other redundancies as we completed the transition of functions from each country to the European shared services center and special charges related to the exit from the consumer and retail business partially offset by lower SG&A expenses in North America.
 
The slight improvement in Technology Products operating margin for 2013 compared to 2012 was due to improvement in freight performance and lower SG&A in North America, offset by increased expenses in Europe due to duplication of local functions and other redundancies until completion of the transition of the European shared services center.

The decrease in operating margin in Industrial Products segment for 2014 reflect the increased internet advertising spending  compared to 2013 to drive traffic, hiring of subject matter experts to bring additional value to our customers and a slight decline in gross product margin driven by product mix as we have begun stocking more domestically sourced products.

The increase in the Industrial Products operating margin for 2013 compared to 2012 is due to improvement in freight performance, expansion of private label and brand name selections, increased utilization of the New Jersey distribution center and approximately $0.3 million benefit from an adjustment to lease termination costs offset by $0.1 million of personnel costs related to the planned closing and relocation of one of our smaller distribution centers to a new, significantly larger, distribution and call center in the second quarter of 2012.
 
Operating margin for our North American businesses (which is comprised of part of our Technology Segment and our entire Industrial Products and Corporate and Other Segments) improved to an operating loss of $2.8 million in 2014 compared to an operating loss of $14.9 million in 2013. This improvement is primarily attributable to increased sales and gross profit from our Industrial Products segment of approximately $82.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively; lower selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $2.8 million, within our North American Technology Products business, which includes $2.3 million from favorable resolution of the review of a professional service provider's billings,  and reduced internet advertising spending and reduced salary and related expenses.  The overall loss in North America was driven by weakness in the Technology Products business.  Within this business, the major drivers of the weakness were web and retail store sales declines, resulting from sales volume and selling price erosion in certain core product categories such as personal computers and televisions. The Company believes the decline in sales and price pressures for consumer electronics are attributable to a variety of well publicized industry and market trends.  The Company expects these trends to continue for the foreseeable future and after an extensive review and planning process, the Company is taking actions that will include the exit of substantially all retail store operations; closing a distribution center and implementing a general workforce reduction to realign available resource solely with our B2B focus.
 
Operating margin for our European business was a loss of $23.1 million in 2014 compared to a loss of $5.7 million in 2013. The increased net sales of $94.5 million, generated increased gross profit of $2.7 million, but were offset by $15.9 million of increased selling, general and administrative expenses and increased special charges of $4.2 million related to the now completed transition to a pan European operating model.  The expense increase for Europe includes approximately $4.4 million of salary and related costs due to additional headcount for the shared services center.

The decrease in Corporate and other expenses primarily resulted from lower overhead expenses incurred in 2014 as compared to 2013.  The decrease in Corporate and other expenses for 2013 compared to 2012 primarily resulted from lower personnel related costs and lower professional fees incurred in 2013 as compared to 2012.

The discontinued operations of Software Solutions incurred a loss of approximately $0.0 million for the years ended December 2014 and 2013 and $0.2 million, net of tax, for year ended December 2012.

Consolidated operating margin was impacted by special charges, net of $24.4 million, $22.2 million and $46.3 million 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense was $1.3 million, $1.5 million, and $1.7 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The interest expense decrease for the years 2014 compared to 2013 and 2013 compared to 2012 is attributable to decreasing balances owed on the Recovery Zone Bond facility and outstanding capital lease obligations.
 
INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was 15.0% in 2014 as compared to a 100.9% in 2013.  The effective income tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to tax expense in certain states in the U.S., foreign locations with taxable income and the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets of a U.K. subsidiary of approximately $1.7 million.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 100.9% in 2013 as compared to an 80.8% benefit in 2012.  The high effective income tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance for U.S. federal deferred tax assets of approximately $20.5 million and for state deferred tax assets of approximately $ 3.9 million. These valuation allowances were recorded primarily as a result of the three year cumulative loss recorded in the U.S. Additionally full valuation allowances of approximately $2.5 million were recorded against the deferred tax assets of the Company’s subsidiaries in Sweden and Italy in 2013.
 
Seasonality

The Company’s fourth quarter has historically represented a greater portion of annual sales.  Net sales have historically been modestly weaker during the second and third quarters as a result of lower business activity during those months. With the exiting of the retail store business and the closing of substantially all retail stores in 2015, the Company expects to experience less seasonality of its business in future periods. The following table sets forth the net sales seasonality, excluding discontinued operations, for each of the quarters since January 1, 2012 (amounts in millions) .

   
Quarter Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
2014
               
Net sales
 
$
873.4
   
$
831.1
   
$
825.4
   
$
912.9
 
Percentage of year’s net sales
   
25.4
%
   
24.1
%
   
24.0
%
   
26.5
%
                                 
2013
                               
Net sales
 
$
880.6
   
$
805.7
   
$
791.8
   
$
874.2
 
Percentage of year’s net sales
   
26.3
%
   
24.0
%
   
23.6
%
   
26.1
%
                                 
2012
                               
Net sales
 
$
913.1
   
$
849.1
   
$
847.0
   
$
935.1
 
Percentage of year’s net sales
   
25.8
%
   
24.0
%
   
23.9
%
   
26.3
%

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Selected liquidity data (in millions):

   
December 31,
     
   
2014
   
2013
   
$ Change
 
Cash
 
$
165.0
   
$
181.4
   
$
(16.4
)
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
355.5
   
$
333.3
   
$
22.2
 
Inventories
 
$
289.9
   
$
321.8
   
$
(31.9
)
Assets available for sale
 
$
-
   
$
1.1
   
$
(1.1
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
15.9
   
$
16.4
   
$
(0.5
)
Accounts payable
 
$
420.2
   
$
418.8
   
$
1.4
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
$
93.0
   
$
89.2
   
$
3.8
 
Current portion of long term debt
 
$
2.7
   
$
2.5
   
$
0.2
 
Working capital
 
$
312.1
   
$
345.8
   
$
(33.7
)
 
Our primary liquidity needs are to support working capital requirements in our business, including working capital for the closing of the previously announced purchase of the Plant Equipment Group in January 2015, integrating Plant Equipment Group with our business, exiting of the consumer and retail business and related workforce reductions in 2015,  integrating SCC Services with our business (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), reorganizing our European operations including funding cash requirements of certain European businesses, European workforce reduction costs and transition costs, implementing new inventory and warehouse functions in Europe, funding capital expenditures, continuing investment in upgrading and expanding our technological capabilities and information technology infrastructure (including upgrading and transitioning of SCC Services and Plant Equipment Group’s technology infrastructure), repaying outstanding debt, and funding acquisitions. We rely principally upon operating cash flows to meet these needs. We believe that cash flow available from these sources and our availability under credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other cash requirements for the next twelve months.  We believe our current capital structure and cash resources are adequate for our internal growth initiatives.  To the extent our growth initiatives expand, including major acquisitions, we would seek to raise additional capital.  We believe that, if needed, we can access public or private funding alternatives to raise additional capital.

Our working capital decreased due to cash used for the SCC Services acquisition and the net loss incurred in 2014.  Accounts receivable days outstanding were at 37.5 in 2014 up from 32.6 in 2013. This trend reflects slower receivables collection in the Europe as we transition collections to the Hungarian shared services center and a higher proportion of our sales coming from B2B channels, where most customers do business with us on open credit account, and a lower proportion of our sales being B2C channels, where most customers purchase from us using credit cards.  Inventory turns were 9.5 in 2014 compared to 9.4 in 2013 and accounts payable days outstanding were 51.2 in 2014 compared to 45.9 in 2013.  We expect that future accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable balances will fluctuate with net sales and the mix of our net sales between consumer and business customers.

Net cash used in 2014 from continuing operations was $0. 1 million resulting from changes in our working capital accounts, which used $0.1 million in cash compared to $33.9 million provided in 2013, primarily the result of fluctuation in our accounts receivable, inventory, and income tax payable (receivable) balances.  Cash generated from net (loss) adjusted by other non-cash items used $0.0   million compared to $12.9 million provided in 2013, primarily the result of establishment of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for U.S. entities in 2013, change in asset impairment charges, depreciation and amortization offset by improvement of net loss from operations and fluctuation in our provision adjustments for returns and doubtful accounts in 2014 compared to 2013.  Net cash provided by continuing operations was $46.8 million and $75.4 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2013 compared to 2012 resulted from changes in our working capital accounts which provided $33.9 million in cash compared to $53.2 million in 2013, primarily the result of changes in inventory, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities offset by changes in accounts receivable and income tax receivable (payable) balances.  Cash generated from net (loss) adjusted by non-cash items provided $12.9 million compared to $22.2 million in 2013, primarily the result of the establishment of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for U.S. entities in 2013 compared to a release of deferred tax assets valuation allowances related to the Company’s French subsidiary in 2012, net loss from continuing operations and change in asset impairment charges compared to 2012.  Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was zero for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $12.5 million for 2014, of which $6.4 million was used for SCC Services acquisition, net of cash acquired of $0.9 million (see Note 2 ) and $0.9 million of proceeds from the sale of our former PC manufacturing facility.   Other investing activities include office expansions related to our Industrial Products segment, expenditures for the European shared services center, computer and office equipment expenditures for the sales and administrative offices in the United Kingdom, expenditures for our inventory and warehousing functions in Europe, and information and communications systems hardware and software.   In 2013, net cash used in investing activities was $13.4 million and were for warehouse racking systems for the new distribution center, network upgrades, fabrication equipment, expenditures for a new retail store opening, upgrades and enhancements to our information and communications systems hardware. In 2012, net cash used in investing activities was $12.0 million, primarily for upgrades and enhancements to our information and communication systems hardware and software and expenditures in retail stores in North America.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $2.3 million in 2014, $2.6 million in 2013 and $11.1 million in 2012.  In 2014, we repaid approximately $2.6 million of capital lease obligations and net proceeds and excess tax benefit from stock option exercises provided $0.3 million.  In 2013, we repaid approximately $2.8 million of capital lease obligations. Net proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided $0.2 million.  In 2012, we paid a special dividend of $9.1 million and repaid approximately $2.8 million in capital lease obligations.  Net proceeds and excess tax benefits from stock option exercises provided $0.8 million.
 
The Company maintains a $125.0 million (which may be increased to $200.0 million, subject to certain conditions) secured revolving credit agreement with a group of financial institutions which provides for borrowings in the United States. The credit facility has a five year term and expires in October 26, 2015.  The Company expects that it will renew this facility on or before that date in 2015.  Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets, subject to limited exceptions. The credit agreement contains certain operating, financial and other covenants, including limits on annual levels of capital expenditures, availability tests related to payments of dividends and stock repurchases and fixed charge coverage tests related to acquisitions. The revolving credit agreement requires that a minimum level of availability be maintained. If such availability is not maintained, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined). The borrowings under the agreement are subject to borrowing base limitations of up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable and up to 40% of qualified inventories. The interest rate under this facility is computed at applicable market rates based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin varies based on borrowing base availability. As of December 31, 2014, eligible collateral under this agreement was $121.9 million, total availability was $116.4 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $5.5 million and there were no outstanding advances. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of December 31, 2014.

The Company (through a subsidiary) has an outstanding Bond financing with the Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia (the “Authority”).  The Bonds were issued by the Authority and initially purchased by GE Government Finance Inc., and mature on October 1, 2018.  The proceeds from the Bonds were used to finance capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson, Georgia.  The purchase and installation of the equipment for the facility was completed by December 31, 2011.  Pursuant to the transaction, the Company transferred to the Authority, for consideration consisting of the Bonds proceeds, ownership of the equipment and the Authority leased the equipment to the Company’s subsidiary pursuant to a capital equipment lease expiring October 1, 2018.  Under the capital equipment lease the Company has the right to acquire ownership of the equipment at any time for a purchase price sufficient to pay off all principal and interest on the Bonds, plus $1.00.  As a result of the capital lease treatment for this transaction, the leased equipment is included in property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.2 million outstanding against this financing facility.

Our earnings and cash flows are seasonal in nature, with the fourth quarter of the fiscal year historically generating higher earnings and cash flows than the other quarters. Levels of earnings and cash flows are dependent on factors such as consolidated gross margin and selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of sales, product mix and relative levels of domestic and foreign sales. Unusual gains or expense items, such as special (gains) charges and settlements, may impact earnings and are separately disclosed.  We expect that past performance may not be indicative of future performance due to the competitive nature of our Technology Products segment where the need to adjust prices to gain or hold market share is prevalent.

Macroeconomic conditions, such as business and consumer sentiment, may affect our revenues, cash flows or financial condition.  However, we do not believe that there is a direct correlation between any specific macroeconomic indicator and our revenues, cash flows or financial condition.  We are not currently interest rate sensitive, as we have significant cash balances and minimal debt.

On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017. After completion of these actions the Company will see a significant decline in retail revenues, however the Company expects to realize improved profitability of between $18 and $22 million.
 
The expenses, capital expenditures and exit activities described above will require significant levels of liquidity, which we believe can be adequately funded from our currently available cash resources. In 2015 we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $15.2 million, though at this time we are not contractually committed to incur these expenditures.  Over the past several years we have engaged in opportunistic acquisitions, choosing to pay the purchase price in cash, and may do so in the future as favorable situations arise.  However, a deep and prolonged period of reduced consumer and/ or business to business spending could adversely impact our cash resources and force us to either forego future acquisition opportunities or to pay the purchase price in shares of our common stock, which could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share. In addition we anticipate cash needs for implementation of the financial systems.  We believe that our cash balances, future cash flows from operations and our availability under credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.
 
We maintain our cash and cash equivalents primarily in non-interest bearing cash accounts that partially offset banking fees as the earnings credit for doing so exceeds current money market yields. As of December 31, 2014, we had no investments with maturities of greater than three months.  Accordingly, we do not believe that our cash balances have significant exposure to interest rate risk. At December 31, 2014 cash balances held in foreign subsidiaries totaled approximately $64.4 million. These balances are held in local country banks and are not readily available to the U.S. parent company on a tax efficient basis. The Company would need to accrue and pay income taxes on any cash repatriated to the U.S. parent company. The Company has made the decision to indefinitely reinvest earnings in its foreign tax jurisdictions. The Company had in excess of $220 million of liquidity (cash and undrawn line of credit) in the U.S. as of December 31, 2014, which is sufficient to fund its U.S. operations and capital needs, including any dividend payments, for the foreseeable future.

We are obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for the rental of most of our facilities and certain of our equipment which expires at various dates through 2032.  We have sublease agreements for unused space we lease in the United States.  In the event the sub lessee is unable to fulfill its obligations, we would be responsible for rents due under the leases.

As a result of the Technology Products business segment exiting the consumer electronics business in 2015 the Company will be seeking to terminate certain of its retail store operating leases early or to sublet them where possible.

Following is a summary of our contractual obligations for future principal payments on our debt, minimum rental payments on our non-cancelable operating leases and minimum payments on our other purchase obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in millions):

   
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
More than
5 years
 
Contractual Obligations:
                   
                     
Capital lease obligations
 
$
3.7
     
2.8
     
0.9
     
-
     
-
 
                                         
Non-cancelable operating leases, net of subleases
   
204.0
     
27.8
     
72.4
     
45.2
     
58.6
 
                                         
Purchase & other obligations
   
66.3
     
49.9
     
8.2
     
8.2
     
-
 
                                         
Total contractual obligations
 
$
274.0
     
80.5
     
81.5
     
53.4
     
58.6
 

Our purchase and other obligations consist primarily of product purchase commitments, certain employment agreements and service agreements.

In addition to the contractual obligations noted above, we had $5.5 million of standby letters of credit outstanding as of December 2014.

We are party to certain litigation, the outcome of which we believe, based on discussions with legal counsel, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Tax contingencies are related to uncertain tax positions taken on income tax returns that may result in additional tax, interest and penalties being paid to taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no material uncertain tax positions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of capital resources.

The Company currently leases its facility in Port Washington, NY from an entity owned by Richard Leeds, Bruce Leeds, and Robert Leeds, senior executives, Directors and controlling shareholders of the Company.
 
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to market risks, which include changes in U.S. and international interest rates as well as changes in currency exchange rates (principally British Pounds Sterling, European Union Euros and Canadian Dollars) as measured against the U.S. Dollar and each other.

The translation of the financial statements of our operations located outside of the United States is impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively affect income statement, balance sheet and cash flows as expressed in U.S. dollars.  Sales would have fluctuated by approximately $131.1 million and pretax loss would have fluctuated by approximately $3.3 million if average foreign exchange rates changed by 10% in 2014. We have limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and do not use them for trading purposes. We may enter into foreign currency options or forward exchange contracts aimed at limiting in part the impact of certain currency fluctuations, but as of December 31, 2014 we had no outstanding forward exchange contracts.

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our variable rate debt. Our variable rate debt consists of short-term borrowings under our credit facilities.  As of December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding balances under our variable rate credit facility.  A hypothetical change in average interest rates of one percentage point is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows over the next fiscal year.

Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required by Item 8 of Part II is incorporated herein by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report; see Item 15 of Part IV.

Item 9.
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.   Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“2013 framework”).  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, a copy of which is included in this report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.
Other Information.

None.
 

PART III

Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by Item 10 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. (the “Proxy Statement”).

Item 11.
Executive Compensation.

The information required by Item 11 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.

Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by item 12 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.

Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by Item 13 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.

Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information required by Item 14 of Part III is hereby incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)
1.
Consolidated Financial Statements of Systemax Inc.
Reference
       
   
Reports of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
44
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013
46
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
47
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
48
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
49
   
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
50
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
51
       
 
2.
Financial Statement Schedules:
 
       
   
The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this report and should be read together with our consolidated financial statements:
 
       
   
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
66
       
   
Schedules not included with this additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 

Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 
3.
Exhibits.

Exhibit
No.
 
Description
     
3.1
 
Composite Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant (effective as of December 29, 2007, incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
3.3
 
Amendment to the Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 2008).
4.1
 
Stockholders Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995).
10.1*
 
Form of 1995 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 333-1852).
10.2*
 
Form of 1995 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 333-1852).
10.3*
 
Form of 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan as amended (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 2003).
10.4*
 
Form of 2006 Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
10.5*
 
Form of 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
10.6
 
Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1988 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 33-92052).
10.7
 
First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1998 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998).
10.8
 
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated September 20, 1988 between the Company and Addwin Realty Associates (Port Washington facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10.9
 
Build-to-Suit Lease Agreement dated April, 1995 among the Company, American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (Trustee for the original landlord) and Walsh, Higgins & Company (Contractor) (“Naperville Illinois Facility Lease”) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1) (Registration No. 33-92052).
10.10
 
First Amendment, dated as of February 1, 2006, to the Naperville Illinois Facility Lease between the Company and Ambassador Drive LLC (current landlord) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
10.11
 
Lease Agreement dated September 17, 1998 between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998).
10.12
 
First Amendment, dated as of September 5, 2003, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
10.13
 
Second Amendment, dated March 22, 2007, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp. (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
10.14
 
Third Amendment, dated as of June 26, 2009, to the Lease Agreement between Tiger Direct, Inc. and Mota Associates Limited Partnership (successor in interest to landlord Keystone Miami Property Holding Corp.) (Miami facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
10.15
 
Lease Agreement, dated December 8, 2005, between the Company and Hamilton Business Center, LLC (Buford, Georgia facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
10.16
 
First Amendment, dated as of June 12, 2006, to the Lease Agreement between the Company and Hamilton Business Center, LLC (Buford, Georgia facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).

10.17*
 
Executive Director’s Service Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2011, between Misco UK Limited, Systemax Inc. and Perminder Dale (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011).
10.18*
 
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2007, between the Company and Lawrence P. Reinhold (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
10.19*
 
Amendment No. 1, dated December 30, 2009, to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Lawrence P. Reinhold (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2009).
10.20
 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2010, by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as UK Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated November 2, 2010).
10.21
 
Amendment No. 1 and Waiver, dated as of December 15, 2011, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as UK Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011).
10.22
 
Lease Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia, GE Government Finance Inc. and SYX Distribution Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010).
10.23
 
Corporate Guaranty and Negative Pledge Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Systemax Inc., Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia and GE Government Finance Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010).
10.24
 
Escrow Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2010, among Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company, N.A. (as escrow agent), GE Government Finance Inc., Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia and SYX Distribution Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2010).
10.25
 
Lease Agreement, dated April 16, 2010, between Jefferson Project I LLC as Landlord and SYX Distribution Inc. as Tenant (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012).
10.26
 
First Amendment, dated August 24, 2010, to the Lease Agreement, dated April 2010, between Jefferson Project I LLC as Landlord and SYX Distribution Inc. as Tenant (Jefferson, GA facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012).
10.27
 
Lease Agreement, dated February 27, 2012 between PR I Washington Township NJ, LLC as Landlord and Global Equipment Company Inc. as Tenant (Robbinsville, NJ facility) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012).
10.28*
 
Form of 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 29, 2010).
10.29*
 
Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2014, among Global Industrial Services, Inc., Systemax Inc. and Robert Dooley (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013).
10.30*
 
Employment Agreement, dated April 12, 2012, between Systemax Inc. and Eric Lerner (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012).
10.31
 
Amendment No. 2 and Waiver, dated as of August 7, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013).
10.32
 
Amendment No. 3 and Waiver, dated as of October 31, 2013 with an effective date of September 28, 2013, to the Second Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013).

10.33
 
Amendment No. 4, dated as of August 28, 2014, to the Second Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Systemax Inc. and certain affiliates thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s report on Form 8-K dated August 28, 2014).
 
Lease Agreement, dated December 10, 2014, between Prologis, L.P., as Landlord and Global Industrial Distribution Inc, as Tenant (Las Vegas, NV facility) (filed herewith).
 
Purchase Agreement dated December 31, 2014, by and among TAKKT America Holding, LLC, Global Industrial Holdings LLC and Global Industrial Mexico Holdings LLC (filed herewith).
 
Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement dated January 30, 2015, by and among TAKKT America Holding, LLC, Global Industrial Holdings LLC and Global Industrial Mexico Holdings LLC (filed herewith).
14
 
Corporate Ethics Policy for Officers, Directors and Employees (revised as of January 2014) (incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013).
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith).
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*Exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
SYSTEMAX INC.
   
 
By: /s/ RICHARD LEEDS
   
 
Richard Leeds
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
Date: March 12, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ RICHARD LEEDS
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 12, 2015
Richard Leeds
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
/s/ BRUCE LEEDS
 
Vice Chairman and Director
 
March 12, 2015
Bruce Leeds
       
         
/s/ ROBERT LEEDS
 
Vice Chairman and Director
 
March 12, 2015
Robert Leeds
       
         
/s/ LAWRENCE REINHOLD
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 
March 12, 2015
Lawrence Reinhold
 
and Director
   
   
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
         
/s/ THOMAS AXMACHER
 
Vice President and Controller
 
March 12, 2015
Thomas Axmacher
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
   
         
/s/ ROBERT ROSENTHAL
 
Director
 
March 12, 2015
Robert Rosenthal
       
         
/s/ STACY DICK
 
Director
 
March 12, 2015
Stacy Dick
       
         
/s/ MARIE ADLER-KRAVECAS
 
Director
 
March 12, 2015
Marie Adler-Kravecas
       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Systemax Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss), shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Systemax Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 2013 framework and our report dated March 12, 2015 expressed and unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
March 12, 2015
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Systemax Inc.

We have audited Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, “(2013 framework)” (the COSO Criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss), shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 and our report dated March 12, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
March 12, 2015
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except for share data)
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
         
ASSETS:
       
Current assets:
       
Cash
 
$
165.0
   
$
181.4
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $15.8 and $16.7
   
355.5
     
333.3
 
Inventories
   
289.9
     
321.8
 
Assets available for sale
   
-
     
1.1
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
15.9
     
16.3
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1.7
     
2.3
 
Total current assets
   
828.0
     
856.2
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
41.2
     
59.4
 
Deferred income taxes
   
13.5
     
15.3
 
Goodwill and intangibles
   
7.4
     
6.1
 
Other assets
   
4.8
     
5.2
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
894.9
   
$
942.2
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
420.2
   
$
418.7
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
93.0
     
89.2
 
Current portion of long term debt
   
2.7
     
2.5
 
Total current liabilities
   
515.9
     
510.4
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
0.9
     
2.9
 
Other liabilities
   
18.5
     
22.7
 
Total liabilities
   
535.3
     
536.0
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 25 million shares; issued none
               
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 150 million shares; issued 38,861,992 and 38,861,992 shares; outstanding 36,808,158 and 36,729,295 shares
   
0.4
     
0.4
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
184.3
     
183.3
 
Treasury stock at cost —2,053,834 and 2,132,697 shares
   
(25.4
)
   
(26.4
)
Retained earnings
   
209.2
     
246.7
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(8.9
)
   
2.2
 
Total shareholders’ equity
   
359.6
     
406.2
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
894.9
   
$
942.2
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net sales
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
   
$
3,544.3
 
Cost of sales
   
2,949.6
     
2,869.4
     
3,058.5
 
Gross profit
   
493.2
     
482.9
     
485.8
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
494.7
     
481.3
     
479.4
 
Special charges, net
   
24.4
     
22.2
     
46.3
 
Operating loss from continuing operations
   
(25.9
)
   
(20.6
)
   
(39.9
)
Foreign currency exchange loss
   
5.4
     
0.1
     
0.3
 
Interest and other income, net
   
-
     
(0.4
)
   
(0.3
)
Interest expense
   
1.3
     
1.5
     
1.7
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
   
(32.6
)
   
(21.8
)
   
(41.6
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
   
4.9
     
22.0
     
(33.6
)
Loss from continuing operations
   
(37.5
)
   
(43.8
)
   
(8.0
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
-
     
-
     
(0.3
)
Net loss
 
$
(37.5
)
 
$
(43.8
)
 
$
(8.3
)
                         
Loss from continuing operations and net loss per common share:
                       
Basic
 
$
(1.01
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
(0.22
)
Diluted
 
$
(1.01
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
(0.22
)
                         
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares:
                       
Basic
   
37.1
     
37.0
     
36.9
 
Diluted
   
37.1
     
37.0
     
36.9
 
                         
Dividends declared
 
$
-
    $
-
    $
0.25
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net  loss
 
$
(37.5
)
 
$
(43.8
)
 
$
(8.3
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Foreign currency translation
   
(11.1
)
   
1.2
     
5.0
 
Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(48.6
)
 
$
(42.6
)
 
$
(3.3
)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Loss from continuing operations
 
$
(37.5
)
 
$
(43.8
)
 
$
(8.0
)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
   
16.3
     
19.3
     
18.0
 
Asset impairment
   
10.2
     
4.1
     
39.9
 
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
   
0.5
     
26.4
     
(36.6
)
Provision for returns and doubtful accounts
   
8.9
     
4.0
     
5.0
 
Compensation expense related to equity compensation plans
   
1.5
     
2.9
     
4.1
 
Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options
   
-
     
(0.1
)
   
(0.5
)
Loss on dispositions and abandonment
   
0.1
     
0.1
     
0.3
 
                         
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
   
(55.0
)
   
(23.4
)
   
(25.4
)
Inventories
   
26.8
     
46.1
     
5.0
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(1.0
)
   
(1.4
)
   
3.0
 
Income taxes payable (receivable)
   
14.4
     
(8.7
)
   
(8.8
)
Accounts payable
   
10.8
     
12.2
     
64.9
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
3.9
     
9.1
     
14.5
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations
   
(0.1
)
   
46.8
     
75.4
 
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
(0.4
)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
   
(0.1
)
   
46.8
     
75.0
 
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
   
(7.1
)
   
(13.7
)
   
(12.1
)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
   
1.0
     
0.3
     
0.1
 
Purchase of SCC Services BV, net of cash acquired
   
(6.4
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(12.5
)
   
(13.4
)
   
(12.0
)
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Repayments of capital lease obligations
   
(2.6
)
   
(2.8
)
   
(2.8
)
Dividends paid
   
-
     
-
     
(9.1
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
0.3
     
0.1
     
0.3
 
Excess tax benefit from exercises of stock options
   
-
     
0.1
     
0.5
 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(2.3
)
   
(2.6
)
   
(11.1
)
                         
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH
   
(1.5
)
   
(0.1
)
   
1.5
 
                         
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
   
(16.4
)
   
30.7
     
53.4
 
CASH – BEGINNING OF YEAR
   
181.4
     
150.7
     
97.3
 
                         
CASH – END OF YEAR
 
$
165.0
   
$
181.4
   
$
150.7
 
Supplemental disclosures:
                       
Interest paid
 
$
1.1
   
$
1.2
   
$
1.4
 
Income taxes paid
 
$
5.2
   
$
8.1
   
$
11.4
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
                       
Acquisitions of equipment through capital leases
 
$
0.8
   
$
-
   
$
1.3
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions, except share data in thousands)

   
Common Stock
                     
   
Number
of Shares
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Treasury
Stock,
At Cost
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Total Equity
 
                             
Balances, December 31, 2011
   
36,399
   
$
0.4
   
$
180.5
   
$
(30.5
)
 
$
307.9
   
$
(4.0
)
 
$
454.3
 
Stock-based compensation expense
                   
4.1
                             
4.1
 
Issuance of restricted stock
   
47
             
(0.5
)
   
0.6
                     
0.1
 
Exercise of stock options
   
109
             
(1.0
)
   
1.3
                     
0.3
 
Surrender of fully vested options
                   
(0.7
)
                           
(0.7
)
Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation
                   
0.6
                             
0.6
 
Change in cumulative translation adjustment
                                           
5.0
     
5.0
 
Dividends paid
                                   
(9.1
)
           
(9.1
)
Net loss
                                   
(8.3
)
           
(8.3
)
Balances, December 31, 2012
   
36,555
   
$
0.4
   
$
183.0
   
$
(28.6
)
 
$
290.5
   
$
1.0
     
446.3
 
Stock-based compensation expense
                   
2.9
                             
2.9
 
Issuance of restricted stock
   
140
             
(1.9
)
   
1.8
                     
(0.1
)
Exercise of stock options
   
34
             
(0.3
)
   
0.4
                     
0.1
 
Surrender of fully vested options and restricted stock
                   
(0.4
)
                           
(0.4
)
Change in cumulative translation adjustment
                                           
1.2
     
1.2
 
Net loss
                                   
(43.8
)
           
(43.8
)
Balances, December 31, 2013
   
36,729
   
$
0.4
   
$
183.3
   
$
(26.4
)
 
$
246.7
   
$
2.2
     
406.2
 
Stock-based compensation expense
                   
1.5
                             
1.5
 
Issuance of restricted stock
   
45
             
(0.3
)
   
0.6
                     
0.3
 
Exercise of stock options
   
34
             
(0.1
)
   
0.4
                     
0.3
 
Surrender of fully vested options
                   
(0.1
)
                           
(0.1
)
Change in cumulative translation adjustment
                                           
(11.1
)
   
(11.1
)
Net loss
                                   
(37.5
)
           
(37.5
)
Balances, December 31, 2014
   
36,808
   
$
0.4
   
$
184.3
   
$
(25.4
)
 
$
209.2
   
$
(8.9
)
 
$
359.6
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Systemax Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Systemax”).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications   — Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Use of Estimates In Financial Statements — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fiscal Year — The Company’s fiscal year ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31. For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal years are referred to as if they ended on December 31. The fiscal year is divided into four fiscal quarters that each end at midnight on a Saturday.  Fiscal quarters will typically include 13 weeks, but the fourth quarter will include 14 weeks in a 53 week fiscal year.  For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal quarters are referred to as if they ended on the traditional calendar month.   The full years of 2014, 2013 and 2012 included 52 weeks.

Foreign Currency Translation — The Company has operations in numerous foreign countries. The functional currency of each foreign country is the local currency.  The financial statements of the Company’s foreign entities are translated into U.S. dollars, the reporting currency, using year-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities, average exchange rates for the statement of operations items and historical rates for equity accounts. Translation gains or losses are recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Cash — The Company considers amounts held in money market accounts and other short-term investments, including overnight bank deposits, with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash. Cash overdrafts are classified in accounts payable.

Inventories — Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by using the first-in, first-out method except in certain locations in Europe and retail locations where an average cost is used.

Assets available for sale — Assets available for sale consisted of our former PC manufacturing facility located in Fletcher, Ohio, including land and land improvements.  The cost of the land, land improvements and building has been adjusted to estimated fair market value based on quoted prices in the active market.  This asset was sold in the second quarter of 2014 for $0.9 million and the remainder of the asset, $0.2 million, was recorded in special charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the Technology Products segment.

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Furniture, fixtures and equipment, including equipment under capital leases, are depreciated using the straight-line or accelerated method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 30 to 50 years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives or the term of the respective leases.

Evaluation of Long-lived Assets — Long-lived assets are evaluated for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may have been impaired. In evaluating an asset for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss, equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset is recognized. As a result of negative cash flows in its Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014, and a forecast for continued use of cash in 2015, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.
 
Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of assets acquired. The Company tests goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (trademarks) for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company assesses the carrying value of its definite-lived intangible assets if circumstances indicate that those values may not be recoverable.  As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014, the Company conducted an evaluation of the intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

In December 2013, the Company sold certain CompUSA intellectual property assets and the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred write offs of approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico.

Accruals — Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based upon various factors such as the number of units sold, historical and anticipated results and data received from third party vendors. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Our most significant estimates include those related to the costs of inventory reserves, sales returns and allowances, cooperative advertising, vendor drop shipments, and customer rebate reserves, and other vendor and employee related costs.

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities and for tax loss carry forwards. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. Where it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a valuation allowance. If the realization of those deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made.

The Company provides for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company’s effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable — The Company recognizes sales of products, including shipping revenue, when persuasive evidence of an order arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time the product is received by the customers when title and risk of loss have transferred except in our Industrial Products segment where title and risk pass at time of shipment. Allowances for estimated subsequent customer returns, rebates and sales incentives are provided when revenues are recorded. Revenues exclude sales tax collected. The Company evaluates collectibility of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their credit rating and provides a reserve for accounts that are potentially uncollectible. Trade receivables are generally written off once all collection efforts have been exhausted. Accounts receivable are shown in the consolidated balance sheets net of allowances for doubtful collections and subsequent customer returns.

Shipping and handling costs — The Company recognizes shipping and handling costs in cost of sales.

Advertising Costs — Expenditures for internet, television, local radio and newspaper advertising are expensed in the period the advertising takes place. Catalog preparation, printing and postage expenditures are amortized over the period of catalog distribution during which the benefits are expected, generally one to four months.

Net advertising expenses were $66.1 million, $60.1 million and $57.7 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company utilizes advertising programs to support vendors, including catalogs, internet and magazine advertising, and receives payments and credits from vendors, including consideration pursuant to volume incentive programs and cooperative marketing programs. The Company accounts for consideration from vendors as a reduction of cost of sales unless certain conditions are met showing that the funds are used for specific, incremental, identifiable costs, in which case the consideration is accounted for as a reduction in the related expense category, such as advertising expense. The amount of vendor consideration recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $38.8 million, $45.9 million and $47.8 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Prepaid expenses as of December 2014 and 2013 include deferred advertising costs of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively which are reflected as an expense during the periods benefited, typically the subsequent fiscal quarter.

Stock based compensation — The Company recognizes the fair value of share based compensation in the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite employee service period. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the expected term of the award.
 
Net Income Per Common Share – Net income per common share - basic was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the respective periods presented using the two class method of computing earnings per share. The two class method was used as the Company has outstanding restricted stock with rights to dividend participation for unvested shares.  Net income per common share - diluted was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and included the equivalent shares for dilutive options outstanding during the respective periods, including unvested options. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock issued by the Company is reflected in net income per share - diluted using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, options will only have a dilutive effect when the average market price of common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options. The weighted average number of stock options outstanding included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share was zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  The weighted average number of restricted stock awards included in the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares for the year December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.  The weighted average number of stock options outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.8 million shares, 1.2 million shares and 1.1 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.  The weighted average number of restricted awards outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares, 0.1 million shares and zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.

Employee Benefit Plans - The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Employees may invest 1% or more of their eligible compensation, limited to maximum amounts as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company provides a matching contribution to the plan, determined as a percentage of the employees’ contributions.  Aggregate expense to the Company for contributions to such plans was approximately $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements - Financial instruments consist primarily of investments in cash, trade accounts receivable, debt and accounts payable.  The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments based on interest rates available to the Company.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The Company’s debt is considered to be representative of its fair value because of its variable interest rate.

The fair value of goodwill, non-amortizing intangibles and long lived assets is measured in connection with the Company’s annual impairment testing. The Company performs a qualitative assessment of goodwill and non-amortizing intangibles to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If the qualitative assessment shows that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the company is not required to complete the annual two step goodwill impairment test.  If a quantitative analysis is required to be performed for goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned is determined using a discounted cash flow model.  A discounted cash flow model is also used to determine fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using projected cash flows of the intangible. Unobservable inputs related to these discounted cash flow models include projected sales growth, same store sales growth, gross margin percentages, new business opportunities, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and growth in selling, general and administrative expense and are classified in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Long lived assets are assets used in the Company’s operations and include leasehold improvements, warehouse and retail store fixtures and similar property used to generate sales and cash flows.  Long lived assets are tested for impairment utilizing a recoverability test. The recoverability test compares the carrying value of an asset group to the undiscounted cash flows directly attributable to the asset group over the life of the primary asset.  If the undiscounted cash flows of an asset group is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the fair value of the asset group is then measured. If the fair value is also determined to be less than the carrying value of the asset group, the asset group is impaired. In 2014 the Company’s evaluation of the intangible assets in its Technology Products segment in North America concluded that certain long lived assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Significant Concentrations -   Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and accounts receivable.  The Company’s excess cash balances are invested with money center banks.  Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers and their geographic dispersion comprising the Company’s customer base.  The Company also performs on-going credit evaluations and maintains allowances for potential losses as warranted.

We purchase substantially all of our products and components directly from manufacturers and large wholesale distributors.  In 2014, two vendors accounted for 10% or more of our purchases – one vendor was 12.6%; the other vendor was 11.6%.  In 2013, one vendor accounted for 13.9% of our purchases and in 2012, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases.
 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Public companies in the United States are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements of various authorities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These authorities issue numerous pronouncements, most of which are not applicable to the Company’s current or reasonably foreseeable operating structure. Below are the new authoritative pronouncements that management believes are relevant to Company’s current operations.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”.  This ASU provides new guidance related to the definition of a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.  This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Beginning in 2015, the Company will apply this new guidance, as applicable.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.  This ASU provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.  In addition, this ASU specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers.  This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of the adoption, with early application not permitted.  The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact, if any, on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
2.          ACQUISITION

On June 12, 2014, the Company acquired SCC Services B.V. (renamed “Misco Solutions B.V”. in 2015), a supplier of business-to-business IT products and services with operations in the Netherlands.  The purchase price (after giving effect to the conversion of Euros to U.S. dollars) was approximately $7.3 million in cash (5.4 million Euro), $0.6 million (0.4 million Euro) of which was placed into an escrow account for one year to secure the sellers’ indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement. The Company completed a preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of the acquisition date and recorded assets of approximately $1.5 million for Goodwill, $1.0 million for Client Lists and $0.2 million for Trademarks.  These assets were recorded in the Company’s Technology Products business segment.  The Company expects to amortize 62% of its Client Lists over a 10 year period and 38% of its Client Lists over a 4 year period. All other assets have indefinite lives.  A final purchase price allocation will be completed in 2015.  The operating results of SCC Services are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition. SCC Services is included in the European operations of the Company’s Technology Products reportable segment.  The Company has determined that this was not a material acquisition. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for amortizable assets related to this acquisition at December 31, 2014 was as follows (in millions):
 
 
December 31,
 
2014
   
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Client lists
 
$
1.0
   
$
0.1
 
Total
 
$
1.0
     
0.1
 
 
 
3.         GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

Goodwill :

The following table provides information related to the carrying value of goodwill (in millions):
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Balance January 1
 
$
2.4
   
$
2.4
 
Adjustments to purchase price allocation
   
1.2
     
-
 
Deferred tax adjustment
   
0.3
     
-
 
Balance December 31
 
$
3.9
   
$
2.4
 
 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:   

The following table summarizes information related to indefinite-lived intangible assets (in millions):

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Balance January 1
 
$
2.3
   
$
5.4
 
Adjustments to purchase price allocation
   
0.2
     
-
 
Intangible write offs
   
-
     
(2.9
)
Sale proceeds
   
-
     
(0.2
)
Balance December 31
 
$
2.5
   
$
2.3
 
 
During 2013, the Company wrote off the remaining carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets of CompUSA of approximately $2.9 million. These write offs and impairment charges were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as special charges within the Technology Products segment.
 
Definite-lived intangible assets:
 
The following table summarizes information related to definite-lived intangible assets (in millions):
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
   
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Gross Carrying
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Retail store leases
 
$
3.4
     
3.4
   
$
3.4
   
$
2.5
 
Client lists
   
3.6
     
2.6
     
2.6
     
2.2
 
Technology
   
1.0
     
1.0
     
1.0
     
0.9
 
Total
 
$
8.0
     
7.0
   
$
7.0
   
$
5.6
 
 
During 2014, the Company incurred impairment charges related to the remaining retail store leases of approximately $0.5 million and recorded intangible assets of $1.0 million related to the SCC acquisition (see Note 2).  In 2013 the Company incurred accelerated amortization of approximately $0.9 million related to the termination of one of the retail store leases.

The aggregate amortization expense for these intangibles was approximately $1.4 million in 2014. The estimated amortization for future years ending December 31 is as follows (in millions):

2015
 
$
0.2
 
2016
   
0.2
 
2017
   
0.2
 
2018 and after
   
0.4
 
Total
   
1.0
 

4.     PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following (in millions):
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Land and buildings
 
$
18.6
   
$
19.7
 
Furniture and fixtures, office, computer and other equipment and software
   
127.6
     
129.2
 
Leasehold improvements
   
26.8
     
30.8
 
     
173.0
     
179.7
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
131.8
     
120.3
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
41.2
   
$
59.4
 

 
Included in property, plant and equipment are assets under capital leases, as follows (in thousands):

   
2014
   
2013
 
Office, computer and other equipment
 
$
17.4
   
$
17.4
 
Less: Accumulated amortization
   
14.5
     
12.0
 
   
$
2.9
   
$
5.4
 

Depreciation charged to operations for property, plant and equipment including capital leases in 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $15.4 million, $17.4 million and $16.6 million, respectively.  As a result of negative cash flows in its Technology Products  segment operations in North America, and a forecast for continued use of cash,  the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded.

5.         CREDIT FACILITIES

The Company maintains a $125.0 million (which may be increased to $200.0 million, subject to certain conditions) secured revolving credit agreement with a group of financial institutions which provides for borrowings in the United States. The credit facility has a five year term and expires in October 26, 2015 and the Company expects to renew the facility on or before that date in 2015. Availability is subject to a borrowing base formula that takes into account eligible receivables and eligible inventory. Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets, subject to limited exceptions. The credit agreement contains certain operating, financial and other covenants, including limits on annual levels of capital expenditures, availability tests related to payments of dividends and stock repurchases and fixed charge coverage tests related to acquisitions. The revolving credit agreement requires that a minimum level of availability be maintained. If such availability is not maintained, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined). The borrowings under the agreement are subject to borrowing base limitations of up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable and up to 40% of qualified inventories. The interest rate under this facility is computed at applicable market rates based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin varies based on borrowing base availability. As of December 31, 2014, eligible collateral under this agreement was $121.9 million, total availability was $116.4 million, total outstanding letters of credit were $5.5 million and there were no outstanding advances. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under this facility as of December 31, 2014.

The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was   4.3%, 4.3%, and 4.3% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

6.         ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in millions):

   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Payroll and employee benefits
 
$
34.6
   
$
33.0
 
Advertising
   
11.9
     
10.0
 
Sales and VAT tax payable
   
9.3
     
9.0
 
Freight
   
8.0
     
6.7
 
Reorganization costs
   
4.7
     
8.0
 
Other
   
24.5
     
22.5
 
   
$
93.0
   
$
89.2
 

 
7.         LONG-TERM DEBT

The Company (through a subsidiary) has an outstanding Bond financing with the Development Authority of Jefferson, Georgia (the “Authority”).  The Bonds were issued by the Authority and purchased by GE Government Finance Inc., and mature on October 1, 2018.  The proceeds from the Bond were used to finance capital equipment purchased for the Company’s distribution facility located in Jefferson, Georgia.  The purchase and installation of the equipment for the facility was completed by December 31, 2011. Pursuant to the transaction, the Company transferred to the Authority, for consideration consisting of the Bond proceeds, ownership of the equipment and the Authority leased the equipment to the Company’s subsidiary pursuant to a capital equipment lease expiring October 1, 2018.  Under the capital equipment lease, the Company has the right to acquire ownership of the equipment at any time for a purchase price sufficient to pay off all principal and interest on the Bonds, plus $1.00.  As of December 31, 2014, there was $2.2 million outstanding against this financing facility.

Long-term debt consists of (in millions):

   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Warehouse capitalized equipment lease
 
$
2.2
   
$
4.1
 
Other capitalized equipment lease
   
1.4
     
1.3
 
Subtotal
   
3.6
     
5.4
 
Less: current portion
   
2.7
     
2.5
 
   
$
0.9
   
$
2.9
 

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in millions):
 
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
 
Maturities
 
$
2.7
   
$
0.6
   
$
0.3
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
8.    SPECIAL CHARGES, NET

The Company’s Technology Products segment incurred special charges of approximately $24. 3 million in 2014. These charges, estimates of which were previously disclosed, included approximately $11.7 million in estimated workforce reductions related to the restructuring of our European operations, $0.5 million in continued recruitment costs to staff the European shared services center, $0.1 million for changes in the estimate of lease valuation accruals and the buyout of the two retail store leases that were exited in 2013 prior to lease expiration (Other Exit Costs), $0.3 million in other costs related to the retail stores that were closed in 2013, $0.2 million in charges related to the final sale of the facility which had been used in connection with our previously exited PC manufacturing business and $1.5 million of additional legal and professional fees related to the previously disclosed investigation and settlement with former officers and employees. In the fourth quarter of 2014, after conducting an evaluation of the long-lived and intangible assets in its operations in the United States and Canada, an impairment charge of approximately $10.0 million, pre-tax, was recorded.

The balance of the workforce reduction costs and retail store closing liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.

The following table details the associated liabilities incurred related to the Technology Products segments special charges (in millions):

   
Workforce
Reductions and
Personnel Costs
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Balance January 1, 2014
 
$
7.0
   
$
5.1
   
$
12.1
 
Charged to expense
   
11.7
     
0.1
     
11.8
 
Paid or otherwise settled
   
(14.0
)
   
(5.2
)
   
(19.2
)
Balance December 31, 2014
 
$
4.7
   
$
-
   
$
4.7
 

Corporate and other segment incurred $0.1 million of special charges related to severance costs in the year.
 
 
9.          SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock based compensation plans
 
The Company currently has five equity compensation plans which reserve shares of common stock for issuance to key employees, directors, consultants and advisors to the Company. The following is a description of these plans:

The 1995 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan - This plan, adopted in 1995, allowed the Company to issue qualified, non-qualified and deferred compensation stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted unit grants, performance unit grants and other stock based awards authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Options issued under this plan expire ten years after the options are granted. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on December 31, 2005 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration. No options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

The 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors - This plan, adopted in 1995, provides for automatic awards of non-qualified options to directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or its affiliates. All options granted under this plan will have a ten year term from grant date and are immediately exercisable. A maximum of 100,000 shares may be granted for awards under this plan. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on October 12, 2006 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration. A total of 4,000 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

The   1999 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (“1999 Plan”) - This plan was adopted in October 1999 with substantially the same terms and provisions as the 1995 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan. The Company increased the number of shares that may be granted under this plan to a maximum of 7,500,000 from 5,000,000 shares. The maximum number of shares granted per type of award to any individual may not exceed 1,500,000 in any calendar year and 3,000,000 in total. The ability to grant new awards under this plan ended on December 31, 2009 but awards granted prior to such date continue until their expiration.  A total of 558,500 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014.
 
The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan For Non-Employee Directors - This plan, adopted by the Company’s stockholders in October, 2006, replaces the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The Company adopted the plan so that it could offer directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or of any entity in which the Company has more than a 50% equity interest (“independent directors”) an opportunity to participate in the ownership of the Company by receiving options to purchase shares of common stock at a price equal to the fair market value at the date of grant of the option and restricted stock awards. Awards for a maximum of 200,000 shares may be granted under this plan. A total of 15,000 options were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

The 2010 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”) - This plan was adopted in April, 2010 with substantially the same terms and provisions as the 1999 Long-term Stock Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares granted per type of award to any individual may not exceed 1,500,000 in any calendar year. Restricted stock grants and common stock awards reduce stock options otherwise available for future grant. Awards for a maximum of 7,500,000 shares may be granted under this plan. A total of 524,750 options and 255,000 restricted stock units were outstanding under this plan as of December 31, 2014.

Shares issued under our share-based compensation plans are usually issued from shares of our common stock held in the treasury.

The fair value of employee share options is recognized in expense over the vesting period of the options, using the graded attribution method.  The fair value of employee share options is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company has used historical volatility in its estimate of expected volatility. The expected life represents the period of time (in years) for which the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve.

Compensation cost related to non-qualified stock options recognized in operating results (selling, general and administrative expense) for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million, $1.1 million, and $2.5 million respectively. The related future income tax benefits recognized for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

Stock options

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012:

   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Expected annual dividend yield
   
0
%
   
0
%
   
0
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
2.02
%
   
1.66
%
   
1.10
%
Expected volatility
   
47.1
%
   
41.1
%
   
57.3
%
Expected life in years
   
6.2
     
7.9
     
6.3
 

 
The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options:

   
Weighted Average
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Shares
   
Exercise
Price
   
Shares
   
Exercise
Price
   
Shares
   
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
   
1,175,499
   
$
16.11
     
1,353,059
   
$
15.88
     
1,285,115
   
$
13.39
 
Granted
   
65,000
   
$
12.39
     
60,000
   
$
9.54
     
772,500
   
$
15.00
 
Exercised
   
(33,749
)
 
$
9.78
     
(34,310
)
 
$
3.04
     
(109,466
)
 
$
3.12
 
Cancelled or expired
   
(104,500
)
 
$
15.83
     
(203,250
)
 
$
14.84
     
(595,090
)
 
$
11.71
 
Outstanding at end of year
   
1,102,250
   
$
16.11
     
1,175,499
   
$
16.11
     
1,353,059
   
$
15.88
 
                                                 
Options exercisable at year end
   
839,500
             
772,749
             
682,809
         
Weighted average fair value per option granted during the year
 
$
5.92
           
$
4.44
           
$
7.90
         

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $1.4 million respectively, for 2014, 2013 and 2012.

The following table summarizes information about options vested and exercisable or nonvested that are expected to vest (nonvested outstanding less expected forfeitures) at December 31, 2014:
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Number
Exercisable
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
millions)
 
$
5.00
to
 
$
10.00
     
51,202
   
$
9.26
     
7.91
   
$
0.2
 
$
10.01
to
 
$
15.00
     
384,237
   
$
13.08
     
5.57
     
0.3
 
$
15.01
to
 
$
20.00
     
529,774
   
$
18.31
     
4.77
     
-
 
$
20.01
to
 
$
20.15
     
100,000
   
$
20.15
     
2.06
     
-
 
$
5.00
to
 
$
20.15
     
1,065,213
   
$
16.16
     
4.95
   
$
0.5
 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the tables above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price on the last day of trading in 2014 and the exercise price) that would have been received by the option holders had all options been exercised on December 31, 2014. This value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.

The following table reflects the activity for all unvested stock options during 2014:

   
Shares
   
Weighted
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 
Unvested at January 1, 2014
   
402,750
   
$
8.58
 
Granted
   
65,000
   
$
5.92
 
Vested
   
(134,000
)
 
$
8.77
 
Forfeited
   
(71,000
)
 
$
7.02
 
Unvested at December 31, 2014
   
262,750
   
$
8.25
 

At December 31, 2014, there was approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.67 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million, $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

In 2004, the Company granted 1,000,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the 1999 Plan to a former officer and director. A RSU represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock. The RSUs have none of the rights as other shares of common stock, other than rights to cash dividends, until common stock is distributed. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vested at the rate of 20% on May 31, 2005 and 10% per year on April 1, 2006 and each year thereafter. The share-based expense for RSUs is determined based on the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the award.  Compensation expense related to this RSU was zero in 2014, 2013 and 2012.  As part of the settlement agreement with a former officer and director of the company, all unvested RSUs were terminated and of no further force and effect.
 
In August 2010, the Company granted 175,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to a key employee who is also a Company director.  These RSUs have none of the rights as other shares of common stock, other than rights to cash dividends, until common stock is distributed. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vests in ten equal annual installments of 17,500 units beginning May 15, 2011 and each May 15, thereafter.  Compensation expense related to this RSU award was approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

In October 2011, the Company granted 100,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to, at that time, a key employee.   This RSU award was a non-performance award which vested in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning October 3, 2012 and each October 3 thereafter.   The termination without cause of this key employee during 2013 caused the accelerated vesting of the remaining 90,000 shares in accordance with the restricted stock agreement with the Company. Compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards was approximately $ 0.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

In November 2011, the Company granted 100,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to a key employee who is also a Company director. This RSU award was a non-performance award which vests in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning November 14, 2012 and each November 14 thereafter.  Compensation expense related to this RSU award was approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

In January 2012 and March 2012, the Company granted 50,000 RSUs under the 2010 Plan to each of two key employees.  These RSU awards were non-performance awards which vests in ten equal annual installments of 10,000 units beginning January 3, 2013 and March 1, 2013, respectively, and each January 3 and March 1, thereafter.  Compensation expense related to these RSU awards were approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million during each of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock issued to Directors was $0.1 million in each of 2014, 2013 and 2012.

10.        INCOME TAXES

The components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in millions):
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
United States
 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(18.8
)
 
$
(66.5
)
Foreign
   
(23.3
)
   
(3.0
)
   
24.9
 
Total
 
$
(32.6
)
 
$
(21.8
)
 
$
(41.6
)

The (benefit) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions):
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Current:
           
Federal
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(8.2
)
 
$
(5.4
)
State
   
0.6
     
0.6
     
0.3
 
Foreign
   
4.1
     
3.2
     
8.1
 
Total current
   
4.4
     
(4.4
)
   
3.0
 
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
   
-
     
20.5
     
(16.5
)
State
   
(0.5
)
   
4.8
     
(3.3
)
Foreign
   
1.0
     
1.1
     
(16.8
)
Total deferred
   
0.5
     
26.4
     
(36.6
)
TOTAL
 
$
4.9
   
$
22.0
   
$
(33.6
)

 
Income taxes are accrued and paid by each foreign entity in accordance with applicable local regulations.

The Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2012, related to discontinued operations.
 
A reconciliation of the difference between the income tax expense and the computed income tax expense based on the Federal statutory corporate rate is as follows (in millions):
 
    Year Ended December 31 ,  
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Income tax at Federal statutory rate
 
$
(11.4
)
   
(35.0
)%
 
$
(7.6
)
   
(35.0
)%
 
$
(14.5
)
   
(35.0
)%
Foreign taxes at rates different from the U.S. rate
   
6.1
     
18.7
     
2.3
     
10.6
     
(3.7
)
   
(8.9
)
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
   
1.3
 
   
4.0
 
   
(0.3
)
   
(1.4
)
   
(2.1
)
   
(5.0
)
Changes in valuation allowances
   
9.1
     
27.9
     
28.9
     
132.6
     
(13.3
)
   
(31.9
)
Change in deferred tax liability
   
-
     
-
     
(1.2
)
   
(5.5
)
   
-
     
-
 
Non-deductible items
   
-
     
-
     
0.1
     
0.5
     
0.1
     
0.2
 
Other items, net
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.6
)
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.9
)
   
(0.1
)
   
(0.2
)
Income tax
 
$
4.9
     
15.0
%
 
$
22.0
     
100.9
%
 
$
(33.6
)
   
(80.8
)%
 
The deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in millions):

   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Assets:
       
Current:
       
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
$
10.5
   
$
10.8
 
Inventory
   
4.2
     
4.6
 
Valuation allowances
   
(10.5
)
   
(11.2
)
Total current assets
 
$
4.2
   
$
4.2
 
                 
Non-current:
               
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards
 
$
35.0
   
$
30.1
 
Depreciation
   
2.5
     
2.0
 
Intangible & other
   
16.2
     
15.2
 
Valuation allowances
   
(38.3
)
   
(28.5
)
Total non-current assets
 
$
15.4
   
$
18.8
 
                 
Liabilities :
               
Current :
               
Deductible assets
 
$
1.5
   
$
0.7
 
Other
   
1.0
     
1.2
 
Total current liabilities
 
$
2.5
   
$
1.9
 
                 
Non-current:
               
Amortization
 
$
1.2
   
$
1.1
 
Depreciation
   
0.1
     
1.8
 
Other
   
0.6
     
0.6
 
Total non-current liabilities
 
$
1.9
   
$
3.5
 

 
During the current year the Company recorded valuation allowances against deferred tax assets of approximately $9.1 million. These valuation allowances were recorded against U.S. federal deferred tax assets of approximately $2.9 million, foreign deferred tax assets of $7.4 million, and were partially offset by a reduction in state deferred tax asset valuation allowances of approximately $ 1.2 miilion. These valuation allowances were recorded primarily as a result of Managements’ belief that the deferred assets are not likely to be realized due to recent losses.

The Company has not provided for federal income taxes applicable to the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries of approximately $ 66.8 million as of December 31, 2014, since these earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. The Company has gross foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $80.8 million which expire through 2030. The Company records these benefits as assets to the extent that utilization of such assets is more likely than not; otherwise, a valuation allowance has been recorded. The Company has also provided valuation allowances for certain state deferred tax assets and net operating loss carryforwards where it is not likely they will be realized.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $1.4 million in federal tax credit carryforwards expiring in years through 2024 and various amounts of state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards expiring through 2034 .  The Company has recorded valuation allowances of approximately $48.8 million, including valuations against the federal and state deductibility of temporary differences including net operating losses, of $23.0 million and $7.7 million respectively, foreign tax credits of $1.4 million and tax effected temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions of $16.7 million.
 
The Company is routinely audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities with respect to its income taxes. The Company regularly reviews and evaluates the likelihood of audit assessments. The Company’s federal income tax returns have been audited through 2009. The Company has not signed any consents to extend the statute of limitations for any subsequent years. The Company’s significant state tax returns have been audited through 2006. The Company considers its significant tax jurisdictions in foreign locations to be the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy and Germany. The Company remains subject to examination in the United Kingdom for years after 2011, in Canada for years after 2008, in France for years after 2011, in Italy for years after 2008, in Netherlands for years after 2006 and in Germany for years after 2007.

In accordance with the guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes the Company recognizes the tax benefits from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit of an uncertain tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured as the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the tax authority. To the extent we prevail in matters for which accruals have been established or are required to pay amounts in excess of accruals, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be affected. As of December 31, 2014 the Company had no uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. There were no accrued interests or penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded in income tax expense in 2014 or 2013.

11.      COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER MATTERS

Leases   - The Company is obligated under operating lease agreements for the rental of certain office and warehouse facilities and equipment which expire at various dates through August 2032. The Company currently leases its headquarters office/warehouse facility in New York from an entity owned by the Company’s three principal shareholders and senior executive officers. The Company believes that these payments were no higher than would be paid to an unrelated lessor for comparable space. The Company also acquires certain computer, communications equipment, and machinery and equipment pursuant to capital lease obligations.

At December 31, 2014, the future minimum annual lease payments for capital leases and related and third-party operating leases were as follows (in millions):
 
   
Capital
Leases
   
Operating
Leases
   
Total
 
             
2015
   
2.8
   
$
28.3
   
$
31.1
 
2016
   
0.6
     
26.4
     
27.0
 
2017
   
0.3
     
26.0
     
26.3
 
2018
   
-
     
21.4
     
21.4
 
2019
   
-
     
19.1
     
19.1
 
2020-2024
   
-
     
51.7
     
51.7
 
2025-2029
   
-
     
25.6
     
25.6
 
Thereafter
   
-
     
8.0
     
8.0
 
Total minimum lease payments
   
3.7
     
206.5
     
210.2
 
Less: sublease rental income
   
-
     
2.5
     
2.5
 
Lease obligation net of subleases
   
3.7
   
$
204.0
     
207.7
 
Less: amount representing interest
   
0.1
                 
Present value of minimum capital lease payments (including current portion of $2.7)
 
$
3.6
                 
 
Annual rent expense aggregated approximately $31.5 million, $34.6 million and $33.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Included in rent expense was $0.9 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, to related parties. Rent expense is net of sublease income of $0.0 million for 2014, $0.1 million for 2013, and $0.2 million for 2012, respectively.

Other Matters

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits, claims, investigations and  proceedings including commercial, employment, consumer, personal injury and health and safety law matters, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  In addition, the Company is subject to various assertions, claims, proceedings and requests for indemnification concerning intellectual property, including patent infringement suits involving technologies that are incorporated in a broad spectrum of products the Company sells.  The Company is also audited by (or has initiated voluntary disclosure agreements with) numerous governmental agencies in various countries, including U.S. Federal and state authorities, concerning potential income tax, sales tax and unclaimed property liabilities.  These matters are in various stages of investigation, negotiation and/or litigation, and are being vigorously defended.  In this regard, the State of New York has claimed that certain of the Company’s consumer electronics e-commerce sales are subject to sales tax in those states.  The Company intends to vigorously defend these matters and believes it has strong defenses.  The Company is also being audited by an entity representing 45 states seeking recovery of “unclaimed property”.  The Company is complying with the audit and is providing requested information.

Although the Company does not expect, based on currently available information, that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations, the ultimate outcome is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where it assesses the likelihood of loss as probable and estimable.  In this regard, the Company establishes accrual estimates for its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability incurred at the date of the financial statements and the loss can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2014 the Company has established accruals for certain of its various lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings based upon estimates of the most likely outcome in a range of loss or the minimum amounts in a range of loss if no amount within a range is a more likely estimate.  The Company does not believe that at December 31, 2014 any reasonably possible losses in excess of the amounts accrued would be material to the financial statements.
 
Following the previously reported independent investigation of Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino by our Audit Committee in 2011 (in response to a whistleblower report) for a variety of improper acts, the subsequent termination of their employment and the entering into by Gilbert Fiorentino of a settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on November 20, 2014 the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Southern District of Florida announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud TigerDirect and Systemax.  Specifically, the charges set forth a scheme to obtain kickbacks and other benefits, and to conceal this illicit income from the IRS, all while Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were employed as senior executives at the Company’s North American Technology Products business.  On December 2, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino had pled guilty to various charges, and on March 3, 2015, Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino were sentenced to sixty and eighty months’ imprisonment, respectively.  The Court also set a restitution hearing for April 10, 2015 to determine the amount of restitution Gilbert Fiorentino and Carl Fiorentino are obligated to pay the Company.

On January 27, 2015, the senior financial officer of the Company's North American Technology Products segment testified before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to a subpoena. The USAO has not advised the Company as to the nature or scope of the grand jury proceeding.  Further, the Company's Audit Committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, is cooperating with a current investigation by the USAO into allegations arising from the Fiorentino investigation regarding possible executive officer conflicts of interest and conduct related to internal controls and books and records.  The Company does not currently believe these matters have had or will have a material effect on the Company's previously reported consolidated financial statements. However, it is not possible at this time to predict when the current investigation will be completed; what subject(s) will be investigated; what actions, if any, may be taken by the government as a result of its investigation; or whether any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on the Company.
 
12.      SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

The Company operates and is internally managed in two reportable business segments, Technology Products and Industrial Products. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).  The CEO, in his role as Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), evaluates segment performance based on operating income (loss) from continuing operations . The CODM reviews assets and makes significant capital expenditure decisions for the Company on a consolidated basis only.  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company.  Corporate costs not identified with the disclosed segments are grouped as “Corporate and other expenses.”
 
Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by reportable segment was as follows (in millions):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net Sales:
           
Technology Products
 
$
2,880.9
   
$
2,873.3
   
$
3,137.6
 
Industrial Products
   
556.0
     
473.8
     
401.9
 
Corporate and other
   
5.9
     
5.2
     
4.8
 
Consolidated
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
   
$
3,544.3
 
                         
Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
                       
Technology Products
 
$
12.9
   
$
16.1
   
$
15.1
 
Industrial Products
   
2.1
     
2.2
     
1.9
 
Corporate and other
   
1.3
     
1.0
     
1.0
 
Consolidated
 
$
16.3
   
$
19.3
   
$
18.0
 
                         
Operating Income (Loss):
                       
Technology Products
 
$
(51.3
)
 
$
(40.6
)
 
$
(47.2
)
Industrial Products
   
41.0
     
40.0
     
29.9
 
Corporate and other expenses
   
(15.6
)
   
(20.0
)
   
(22.6
)
Consolidated
 
$
(25.9
)
 
$
(20.6
)
 
$
(39.9
)
                         
Total Assets
                       
Technology Products
 
$
501.9
   
$
598.3
   
$
564.4
 
Industrial Products
   
136.4
     
110.0
     
157.7
 
Corporate and other
   
256.6
     
233.9
     
240.2
 
Consolidated
 
$
894.9
   
$
942.2
   
$
962.3
 

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area was as follows (in millions):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net Sales:
           
United States
 
$
2,061.8
   
$
2,051.1
     
2.203.2
 
United Kingdom
   
471.9
     
468.5
     
491.7
 
France
   
383.2
     
335.4
     
312.7
 
Other Europe
   
334.8
     
291.5
     
322.3
 
Other North America
   
191.1
     
205.8
     
214.4
 
Consolidated
 
$
3,442.8
   
$
3,352.3
     
3,544.3
 
                         
Long-lived Assets:
                       
United States
 
$
16.7
   
$
32.3
   
$
42.0
 
United Kingdom
   
17.5
     
18.7
     
16.6
 
France
   
0.8
     
0.9
     
0.1
 
Other Europe and Asia
   
5.5
     
6.4
     
2.7
 
Other North America
   
0.7
     
1.1
     
1.6
 
Consolidated
 
$
41.2
   
$
59.4
   
$
63.0
 

Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of selling subsidiary.
 

13.      QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly financial data, excluding discontinued operations, is as follows (in millions, except for per share amounts):

   
First Quarter
   
Second Quarter
   
Third Quarter
   
Fourth Quarter
 
2014:
               
Net sales
 
$
873.4
   
$
831.1
   
$
825.4
   
$
912.9
 
Gross profit
 
$
127.9
   
$
123.3
   
$
117.5
   
$
124.5
 
Net loss
 
$
(3.0
)
 
$
(6.2
)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(25.5
)
Net loss per common share:
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.69
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(0.69
)
                                 
2013:
                               
Net sales
 
$
880.6
   
$
805.7
   
$
791.8
   
$
874.2
 
Gross profit
 
$
121.6
   
$
116.3
   
$
116.8
   
$
128.2
 
Net loss
 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
(6.1
)
 
$
(11.6
)
 
$
(19.8
)
Net loss per common share:
                               
Basic
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(0.31
)
 
$
(0.54
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(0.31
)
 
$
(0.54
)

14.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (unaudited)

On March 10, 2015 the Company announced that its Technology Products business segment would be exiting the retail store business in order to accelerate its focus on its business to business (“B2B”) operations. This exit plan includes the closing of substantially all of its retail stores , closing a distribution center , and implementing a general workforce reduction to align available resources with a B2B focus as well as transitioning retail customers to online consumer sales.  The Company has engaged outside firms to assist with the retail store liquidation, as well as the workforce reduction, and anticipates that all of these actions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. The Company anticipates that one time exit charges will aggregate between $50 and $55 million (including approximately $4 million of severance expenses, and $39 million in lease exit costs) substantially all of which will require cash expenditures. The Company expects these costs to be paid out beginning in the first quarter of 2015 through the end of 2017 .

On January 30, 2015, the Company announced that its Industrial Products Group had completed its previously announced acquisition of the Plant Equipment Group, a business-to-business direct marketer of maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products, from TAKKT America for $25.9 million in cash; post-closing working capital adjustments were deminimis.
 
SYSTEMAX INC.

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

For the years ended December:
(in millions)
 
Description
 
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   
Charged to
Expenses
   
Write-offs
   
Other
   
Balance at
End of Period
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
                   
2014
 
$
5.8
   
$
8.9
   
$
(8.3
)
 
$
0.1
(1)
 
$
6.5
 
2013
 
$
6.3
   
$
4.0
   
$
(4.5
)
 
$
-
   
$
5.8
 
2012
 
$
5.4
   
$
5.0
   
$
(4.1
)
 
$
-
   
$
6.3
 
                                         
Allowance for sales returns
                                       
2014
 
$
10.9
   
$
9.3
   
$
-
   
$
(10.9
) (2)
 
$
9.3
 
2013
 
$
9.2
   
$
10.9
   
$
-
   
$
(9.2
) (2)
 
$
10.9
 
2012
 
$
9.3
   
$
9.2
   
$
-
   
$
(9.3
) (2)
 
$
9.2
 
                                         
Allowance for inventory returns
                                       
2014
 
$
(9.2
)
 
$
(7.8
)
   
-
   
$
9.2
(2)
 
$
(7.8
)
2013
 
$
(8.0
)
 
$
(9.2
)
   
-
   
$
8.0
(2)
 
$
(9.2
)
2012
 
$
(7.9
)
 
$
(8.0
)
   
-
   
$
7.9
(2)
 
$
(8.0
)
                                         
Allowance for deferred tax assets
                                       
2014
                                       
Current
 
$
11.2
   
$
(0.7
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
10.5
 
Noncurrent
 
$
28.5
   
$
9.8
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
38.3
 
2013
                                       
Current
 
$
2.2
   
$
9.0
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
11.2
 
Noncurrent
 
$
8.9
   
$
19.6
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
28.5
 
2012
                                       
Current
 
$
1.5
   
$
0.7
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
2.2
 
Noncurrent
 
$
28.4
   
$
(19.5
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8.9
 
 
 
(1) Other relates to SCC Netherlands BV acquisition allowance for doubtful accounts as of acquisition date.
(2) Amounts represent gross revenue and cost reversals to the estimated sales returns and allowances accounts.
 
 
66


Exhibit 10.34

[Net Lease]

LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS LEASE AGREEMENT is made this 10th day of December, 2014, between Prologis, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Landlord"), and the Tenant named below.

Tenant:
Global Industrial Distribution Inc., a Delaware corporation
   
Tenant’s Representative,
Global Industrial Distribution, Inc.
Address, and Telephone:
11 Harbor Park Dr.
Port Washington, NY 11050
Attn: Alan Schaeffer
 
Premises:
The interior portion of the Building, containing approximately 464,203 rentable square feet, as determined by Landlord, as shown on Exhibit A and more commonly known as 3700 Bay Lake Trail, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030.
 
Project:
The project commonly known as Prologis Las Vegas Corporate Center
 
Building:
Prologis Las Vegas Corporate Center 19
 
3700 Bay Lake Trail
 
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030
   
Tenant's Proportionate Share of Project:
100.00 % of the 464,203 square foot Project
   
Tenant's Proportionate Share of Building:
100.00 % of the 464,203 square foot Building
   
Lease Term:
Beginning on the Commencement Date and ending on the last day of the 123 rd full month following the Commencement Date.
   
Commencement Date:
The date the Final Scope is Substantially Completed, as defined in Addendum 4.
   
Initial Monthly Base Rent:
See Addendum 1
 
Initial Estimated Monthly Operating Expense Payments:
(estimates only and subject to adjustment to actual costs and expenses according to the provisions of this Lease)
1.  Utilities:                                                                                             $4,363.51
 
2.  Common Area Charges:                                                                  $5,059.81
 
3.  Taxes:                                                                                                 $18,196.75
 
4.  Insurance:                                                                                         $2,692.37
 
5.  Others (Property Mgmt. Fee):                                                                                      $4,689.97
   
Initial Estimated Monthly Operating Expense Payments:
 
$30,312.45
   
Initial Monthly Base Rent, and Estimated Operating Expense
$196,265.02
   
Final Month Gross Rent Deposit:
One month’s gross rent.
   
Brokers:
Landlord: Voit Real Estate Service
Tenant: Cushman & Wakefield and Commerce Real Estate Solutions
   
Addenda:
1. Base Rent Adjustments 2. HVAC Maintenance Contract 3. Move Out Conditions 4. Construction 5. Two Renewal Options (Baseball Arbitration)
   
Exhibits:
A. Site Plan
B. Project Rules and Regulations
C. Commencement Date Certificate
D. Initial Improvements
E. Form of Lease Guaranty
 
- 1 -

1.              Granting Clause .  In consideration of the obligation of Tenant to pay rent as herein provided and in consideration of the other terms, covenants, and conditions hereof, Landlord leases to Tenant, and Tenant takes from Landlord, the Premises, to have and to hold for the Lease Term, subject to the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease. As a material inducement for Landlord to enter into this Lease, no later than the date hereof Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a full guaranty of Tenant’s obligations and liabilities under this Lease from Global Industrial Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

2.              Acceptance of Premises .  Tenant shall accept the Premises in its condition as of the Commencement Date, subject to all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, covenants and restrictions.  Landlord has made no representation or warranty as to the suitability of the Premises for the conduct of Tenant's business, and Tenant waives any implied warranty that the Premises are suitable for Tenant's intended purposes.  Except as expressly set forth herein, in no event shall Landlord have any obligation for any defects in the Premises or any limitation on its use.  The taking of possession of the Premises shall be conclusive evidence that Tenant accepts the Premises and that the Premises were in good condition at the time possession was taken except for items that are Landlord's responsibility under Paragraph 10 and any punchlist items agreed to in writing by Landlord and Tenant.  Promptly following Tenant’s possession of the Premises, the parties shall execute a Commencement Date Certificate in the form of Exhibit C attached to and hereby made a part of this Lease, confirming the Lease Commencement Date, Lease Expiration Date and Rental Commencement Date.
 
                           Landlord represents and warrants, to its knowledge, that as of the Commencement Date the Building’s HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other mechanical systems shall be in good working order. Landlord shall guarantee for a period of one (1) year after the date the Base Building Improvements are Substantially Completed (as defined in Addendum 4) any defects in materials, construction, or workmanship related to the construction of the Base Building Improvements (including, without limitation, the Building’s HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other mechanical systems), in which case Landlord shall promptly replace or remedy such defects without charge to Tenant (the “Construction Warranty”); provided, however, that such Construction Warranty shall not be effective for any maintenance, repairs or replacements necessitated due to the misuse of, or damages caused by, Tenant, its employees, contractors, agents, subtenants, or invitees. Landlord shall also seek and avail itself of all equipment (such as HVAC) and material warranties related to Landlord’s construction, and shall enforce all such warranties against suppliers, manufacturers, and dealers in order to cure any deficiencies which arise during such warranty period without expense to Tenant.  Landlord represents that Landlord shall obtain a minimum 10-year manufacturer’s warranty on the initial roof, with such 10-year period commencing when the Base Rent payments commence pursuant to Addendum 1, and shall maintain such roof warranty during such initial 10-year warranty period (issued from the roof manufacturer, referred to as the “Roof Warranty”). Landlord has provided a copy of such manufacturer’s Roof Warranty to Tenant for Tenant’s review. Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to request and compel such roof manufacturer to transfer the Roof Warranty to any new owner of the Building simultaneously with any transfer of ownership or otherwise (i.e. closing) so there is no lapse in coverage. Landlord shall be responsible for up to $500 of the transfer fee in connection with any transfer of the Roof Warranty.
 
                           Following the Substantial Completion of the Base Building Improvements, excluding the Final Scope (as such terms are defined in Addendum 4), Landlord shall allow Tenant access to the Premises on or before April 1, 2015 (subject to extension due to Force Majeure and Tenant caused delays) for purposes of fixturing the Premises and otherwise preparing the Premises for the commencement of Tenant’s normal business operations, subject to applicable ordinances and building codes governing Tenant’s right to occupy or perform in the Premises (“Early Occupancy”).  During such Early Occupancy period prior to the Commencement Date, Tenant shall be bound by its obligations under the Lease, including the obligation to provide evidence of insurance, but shall not be obligated to pay the Monthly Base Rent or Operating Expenses payable by Tenant to Landlord as set forth in the Lease. Tenant’s right to Early Occupancy shall be subject to Tenant not materially interfering with the completion of construction or causing any labor dispute as a result of such installations, and provided further that Tenant does hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold Landlord harmless from any loss or damage to such property, and all liability, loss, or damage arising from any injury to the Project or the property of Landlord, its contractors, subcontractors, or materialmen, and any death or personal injury to any person or persons arising out of such installations performed by Tenant or on Tenant’s behalf, unless any such loss, damage, liability, death, or personal injury was caused by Landlord's negligence.  Any such occupancy or performance in the Premises shall be in accordance with the provisions governing Tenant-Made Alterations and Trade Fixtures in the Lease.

3.      Use .  The Premises shall be used for general office; warehousing, distributing, and storage; for will call retail sales, which retail sales shall be contained within an area of no more than 2,000 square feet and are only permissible if the Legal Requirements allow for such retail sales (the “Limited Retail Sales Use”); and for such other lawful purposes incidental to the foregoing as permitted by Legal Requirements, and no other purposes, except as agreed upon by Landlord.  Subject to Legal Requirements (as hereinafter defined) during the Lease Term, Tenant shall be entitled to access of the Premises 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year.  Tenant shall not conduct or give notice of any auction, liquidation, or going out of business sale on the Premises.  Tenant will use the Premises in a careful, safe and proper manner and will not commit waste, overload the floor or structure of the Premises or subject the Premises to use that would damage the Premises.   Tenant shall not permit any objectionable or unpleasant odors, smoke, dust, gas, noise, or vibrations to emanate from the Premises, or take any other action that would constitute a nuisance or would disturb, unreasonably interfere with, or endanger Landlord or any tenants of the Project.  Outside storage, including without limitation, storage of trucks and other vehicles, is prohibited without Landlord's prior written consent; provided, however, Tenant shall have the right to park operable vehicles and trailers overnight at the truck loading docks and designated truck and trailer parking areas for the Premises and operable automobiles in the designated automobile parking areas, and further provided there is no interference with the access of other tenants to the Building and Project parking lots and truck courts.   Tenant, at its sole expense, shall use and occupy the Premises in compliance with all laws, including, without limitation, the Americans With Disabilities Act, orders, judgments, ordinances, regulations, codes, directives, permits, licenses, covenants and restrictions now or hereafter applicable to the Premises (collectively, "Legal Requirements").  Except as may be triggered by the Limited Retail Sales Use, the Premises shall not be used as a place of public accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act or similar state statutes or local ordinances or any regulations promulgated thereunder, all as may be amended from time to time. Landlord represents and warrants that, as of the Commencement Date, no written notice has been received by Landlord of non-compliance with any Legal Requirements in connection with the Premises.  In the event that Landlord receives notice that the Premises is not in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements existing as of the Commencement Date and such non-compliance is not related to Tenant’s specific use of the Premises, the Limited Retail Sales Use, or Tenant-Made Alterations to the Premises performed by Tenant or its contractors or agents, Landlord shall make such modifications as may be required by order or directive of applicable governmental authority in order to bring the Premises into compliance with applicable Legal Requirements as of the Commencement Date without cost or expense to Tenant and without including such cost or expense as an Operating Expense. Furthermore, in the event Landlord receives notice that the Premises is not in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements which come into effect after the Commencement Date and such non-compliance is not related to Tenant’s specific use of the Premises, the Limited Retail Sales Use, or Tenant-Made Alterations to the Premises performed by Tenant or its contractors or agents, Landlord shall make such modifications as may be required by order or directive of applicable governmental authority in order to bring the Premises into compliance with applicable Legal Requirements which shall be chargeable to Tenant as an Operating Expense. Tenant shall, at its expense, make any alterations or modifications, within or without the Premises, that are required by Legal Requirements related to Tenant's use or occupation of the Premises, including, without limitation, the Limited Retail Sales Use or Tenant-Made Alterations to the Premises performed by Tenant or its contractors or agents.  Tenant will not use or permit the Premises to be used for any purpose or in any manner that would void Tenant's or Landlord's insurance, increase the insurance risk, or cause the disallowance of any sprinkler credits.  If any increase in the cost of any insurance on the Premises or the Project is caused by Tenant's use or occupation of the Premises, or because Tenant vacates the Premises, then Tenant shall pay the amount of such increase to Landlord.

- 2 -

4.              Base Rent .  Tenant shall pay Base Rent in the amount set forth on Page 1 of this Lease.  The first month's Base Rent, the Final Month Gross Rent Deposit (the “Final Deposit”) , and the first monthly installment of estimated Operating Expenses (as hereafter defined) shall be due and payable on the date hereof, and Tenant promises to pay to Landlord in advance, without demand, deduction or set-off (except as may be expressly provided in this Lease), monthly installments of Base Rent on or before the first day of each calendar month succeeding the Commencement Date.  For clarification purposes, payment of the first month’s Base Rent payable on the date hereof shall be credited against the first full monthly installment of Base Rent due and payable under this Lease after the Commencement Date and free Base Rent period(s) . Payments of Base Rent for any fractional calendar month shall be prorated.  All payments required to be made by Tenant to Landlord hereunder (or to such other party as Landlord may from time to time specify in writing) shall be made by check or by Electronic Fund Transfer (“EFT”) of immediately available federal funds before 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time at such place, within the continental United States, as Landlord may from time to time designate to Tenant in writing .  The obligation of Tenant to pay Base Rent and other sums to Landlord and the obligations of Landlord under this Lease are independent obligations.  Tenant shall have no right at any time to abate, reduce, or set-off any rent due hereunder except as may be expressly provided in this Lease.  If Tenant is delinquent in any monthly installment of Base Rent or of Operating Expenses beyond 5 business days after the due date thereof, and after notice as provided below, Tenant shall pay to Landlord on demand a late charge equal to 5 percent of such delinquent sum.  Tenant shall not be obligated to pay the late charge until Landlord has given Tenant 5 business days written notice of the delinquent payment (which may be given at any time during the delinquency); provided, however, that such notice shall not be required more than once in any 12-month period.  The provision for such late charge shall be in addition to all of Landlord's other rights and remedies hereunder or at law and shall not be construed as a penalty or as limiting Landlord's remedies in any manner.

5.              Final Deposit .  The Final Deposit shall be held by Landlord as security for the performance of Tenant's obligations under this Lease.  Upon each occurrence of an Event of Default (hereinafter defined), Landlord may use all or part of the Final Deposit to pay delinquent payments due under this Lease, and the cost of any damage, injury, expense or liability caused by such Event of Default, without prejudice to any other remedy provided herein or provided by law.  Tenant shall pay Landlord on demand the amount that will restore the Final Deposit to its original amount.  No interest shall accrue on the Final Deposit.  Landlord shall not be required to keep all or any part of the Final Deposit separate from its general accounts.  Landlord shall be released from any obligation with respect to the Final Deposit upon transfer of this Lease, the Final Deposit, and the Premises to a person or entity assuming Landlord's obligations under this Paragraph 5.

6.              Operating Expense Payments .  During each month of the Lease Term, on the same date that Base Rent is due, Tenant shall pay Landlord an amount equal to 1/12 of the annual cost, as estimated by Landlord from time to time, of Tenant's Proportionate Share (hereinafter defined) of Operating Expenses for the Project.  Payments thereof for any fractional calendar month shall be prorated.  The term "Operating Expenses" means all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord with respect to the ownership, maintenance, and operation of the Project including, but not limited to costs of: Taxes (hereinafter defined) and reasonable fees payable to tax consultants and attorneys for consultation and contesting taxes; insurance; utilities; maintenance, repair and replacement of all portions of the Project, including without limitation, paving and parking areas, roads, non-structural components of the roofs (including the roof membrane but subject to the Roof Warranty defined in Paragraph 2 of this Lease) , alleys, and driveways, mowing, landscaping, exterior painting, utility lines, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting, electrical systems and other mechanical and building systems; amounts paid to contractors and subcontractors for work or services performed in connection with any of the foregoing; charges or assessments of any association to which the Project is subject; property management fees payable to a property manager, including any affiliate of Landlord, or if there is no property manager, an administration fee of 10 percent of Operating Expenses   payable to Landlord (provided, however, Tenant’s Proportionate Share of property management fees or administration fees, as the case may be, shall not exceed 2.25 percent of gross rent (Base Rent plus Operating Expenses) payable by Tenant); security services, if any; trash collection, sweeping and removal; and additions or alterations made by Landlord to the Project or the Building in order to comply with Legal Requirements (other than those expressly required herein to be made by Tenant) or that are appropriate to the continued operation of the Project or the Building as a bulk warehouse facility in the market area, provided that the cost of additions or alterations that are required to be capitalized for federal income tax purposes shall be amortized on a straight line basis over a period equal to the lesser of the useful life thereof for federal income tax purposes or 10 years.  Operating Expenses do not include costs, expenses, depreciation or amortization for capital repairs and capital replacements required to be made by Landlord under Paragraph 10 of this Lease, debt service under mortgages or ground rent under ground leases, costs of restoration to the extent of net insurance proceeds received by Landlord with respect thereto, leasing commissions, the costs of renovating space for tenants (including, without limitation, Tenant), any costs covered by the Roof Warranty, any costs incurred by Landlord to correct latent defects arising from the initial construction of the Building, or any amount paid by Landlord or to the parent organization or a subsidiary or affiliate of Landlord for supplies and/or services in the Project to the extent the same exceeds the cost of such supplies and/or services rendered by qualified, first class unaffiliated third parties on a competitive basis.

- 3 -

                           Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant shall not be obligated to pay for Controllable Operating Expenses in any year to the extent they have increased by more than four percent (4%) per annum, compounded annually on a cumulative basis from the first full calendar year following the Commencement Date during the Lease Term.  For purposes of this Paragraph, Controllable Operating Expenses shall mean all Operating Expenses as set forth in this Paragraph 6 of the Lease, except for Taxes, insurance premiums, costs in connection with adverse weather conditions (including, without limitation, snow removal), cost of unanticipated repairs, costs in connection with compliance with the Legal Requirements that take effect after the Commencement Date, property management fees (which are set as a fixed percentage as expressly set forth above), and repairs or maintenance necessary exclusively as a result of activities of Tenant or its agents at the Project and utility costs.  Controllable Operating Expenses shall be determined on an aggregate basis and not on an individual basis, and the cap on Controllable Operating Expenses shall be determined on Operating Expenses as they have been adjusted for vacancy or usage pursuant to the terms of the Lease.

                           Within ninety (90) days following the close of each calendar year of the Lease Term or any extension terms thereof, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant a reconciliation statement certified as correct by an officer or other authorized representative of Landlord showing in detail on a line item basis the items included in the Operating Expenses and all computations of the actual Operating Expenses and Tenant’s Proportionate Share of such Operating Expenses owed for such calendar year in accordance with this section. Landlord shall maintain detailed books and records accounting for all such costs. If requested by Tenant, Landlord shall furnish to Tenant reasonable backup and supporting information and documentation pertaining to the Operating Expenses. If Tenant's total payments of Operating Expenses for any year are less than Tenant's Proportionate Share of   actual Operating Expenses for such year, then Tenant shall pay the difference to Landlord within 30 days after demand, and if more, then Landlord shall retain such excess and credit it against Tenant's next payments except that during the last calendar year of the Lease Term or any extension terms thereof, Landlord shall refund any such excess within 60 days following the termination of the Lease Term or any extension terms thereof, provided that Tenant is not in default of its obligations under this Lease.  For purposes of calculating Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Expenses, a year shall mean a calendar year except the first year, which shall begin on the Commencement Date, and the last year, which shall end on the expiration of this Lease.   With respect to Operating Expenses which Landlord allocates to the entire Project, Tenant's "Proportionate Share" shall be the percentage set forth on the first page of this Lease as Tenant's Proportionate Share of the Project as reasonably adjusted by Landlord in the future for changes in the physical size of the Premises or the Project; and, with respect to Operating Expenses which Landlord allocates only to the Building, Tenant's "Proportionate Share" shall be the percentage set forth on the first page of this Lease as Tenant's Proportionate Share of the Building as reasonably adjusted by Landlord in the future for changes in the physical size of the Premises or the Building.  Landlord may equitably increase Tenant's Proportionate Share for any item of expense or cost reimbursable by Tenant that relates to a repair, replacement, or service that benefits only the Premises or only a portion of the Project or Building that includes the Premises or that varies with occupancy or use.

                           The estimated Operating Expenses for the Premises set forth on the first page of this Lease are only estimates, and Landlord makes no guaranty or warranty that such estimates will be accurate. However, for the first 12-month period following the Commencement Date, Tenant’s responsibility for the payment of Controllable Operating Expenses for such 12-month period shall not be more than 4 percent of the first page estimates.

7.              Utilities .  Tenant shall pay for all water, gas, electricity, heat, light, power, telephone, sewer, sprinkler services, refuse and trash collection, and other utilities and services used on the Premises, all maintenance charges for utilities, and any storm sewer charges or other similar charges for utilities imposed by any governmental entity or utility provider, together with any taxes, penalties, surcharges or the like pertaining to Tenant's use of the Premises.

                           No interruption or failure of utilities shall result in the termination of this Lease or the abatement of rent. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event that such interruption or cessation of utilities results from Landlord’s negligent or willful act or omission continues beyond five (5) business days from the date of such interruption or cessation, then, provided Tenant has delivered Landlord with prompt notice of such interruption, the rent under this Lease will abate, commencing on the fifth (5 th ) business day the Premises remain untenantable, and continuing until the date on which the utilities are restored and the Premises are again tenantable.  No abatement of rentals as hereinabove described will apply in the event such interruption of utilities is the result of Tenant's alterations to the Premises, or any negligent act or omission of Tenant, its agents, employees or contractors, or any cause other than the negligent or willful act or omission of Landlord or its employees, agents or contractors.

- 4 -

8.              Taxes .  Landlord shall pay all taxes, assessments and governmental charges (collectively referred to as "Taxes") that accrue against the Project during the Lease Term, which shall be included as part of the Operating Expenses charged to Tenant.  Landlord may contest by appropriate legal proceedings the amount, validity, or application of any Taxes or liens thereof.  All capital levies or other taxes assessed or imposed on Landlord upon the rents payable to Landlord under this Lease and any franchise tax, any excise, use, margin, transaction, sales or privilege tax, assessment, levy or charge measured by or based, in whole or in part, upon such rents from the Premises and/or the Project or any portion thereof shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord monthly in estimated installments or upon demand, at the option of Landlord, as additional rent; provided, however, in no event shall Tenant be liable for any net income taxes imposed on Landlord unless such net income taxes are in substitution for any Taxes payable hereunder.  If any such tax or excise is levied or assessed directly against Tenant   or results from any Tenant-Made Alterations (defined below), then Tenant shall be responsible for and shall pay the same at such times and in such manner as the taxing authority shall require.  Tenant shall be liable for all taxes levied or assessed against any personal property or fixtures placed in the Premises by Tenant or its assignees or subtenants, whether levied or assessed against Landlord or Tenant.

9.              Insurance .  Landlord shall maintain all risk or special form property insurance covering the full replacement cost of the Building and commercial general liability insurance on the Project in forms and amounts customary for properties substantially similar to the Project, subject to customary deductibles .  Landlord may, but is not obligated to, maintain such other insurance and additional coverages as it may deem necessary, including but not limited to, rent loss insurance.  All such insurance shall be included as part of the Operating Expenses charged to Tenant.  The Project or Building may be included in a blanket policy (in which case the cost of such insurance allocable to the Project or Building will be determined by Landlord based upon the total insurance cost calculations).  Tenant shall also reimburse Landlord for any increased premiums or additional insurance which Landlord reasonably deems necessary as a result of Tenant’s use of the Premises.

                           Tenant, at its expense, shall maintain during the Lease Term the following insurance, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense:  (1) commercial general liability insurance applicable to the Premises and its appurtenances providing, on an occurrence basis, a minimum combined single limit of $2,000,000; and in the event property of Tenant’s invitees or customers are kept in, or about the, Premises, Tenant shall maintain warehouser’s legal liability or bailee customers insurance for the full value of the property of such invitees or customers as determined by the warehouse contract between Tenant and its customer; (2) all risk or special form property insurance covering the full replacement cost of all property and improvements installed or placed in the Premises by Tenant; (3) workers’ compensation insurance as required by the state in which the Premises is located and in amounts as may be required by applicable statute and shall include a waiver of subrogation in favor of Landlord; (4) employers liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, (5) business automobile liability insurance having a combined single limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence insuring Tenant against liability arising out of the ownership maintenance or use of any owned, hired or nonowned automobiles, and (6) business interruption insurance with a limit of liability representing loss of at least approximately 90 days of income.  Any company writing any of Tenant’s insurance shall have an A.M. Best rating of not less than A-VIII and provide primary coverage to Landlord (any policy issued to Landlord providing duplicate or similar coverage shall be deemed excess over Tenant's policies).  All commercial general liability and, if applicable, warehouser’s legal liability or bailee customers insurance policies shall name Tenant as a named insured and Landlord, its property manager, and other designees of Landlord as the interest of such designees shall appear, as additional insureds.  The limits and types of insurance maintained by Tenant shall not limit Tenant’s liability under this Lease.  Tenant shall provide Landlord with certificates of such insurance as required under this Lease prior to the earlier to occur of the Commencement Date or the date Tenant is provided with possession of the Premises, and thereafter upon renewals at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the insurance coverage.  Acceptance by Landlord of delivery of any certificates of insurance does not constitute approval or agreement by Landlord that the insurance requirements of this section have been met, and failure of Landlord to identify a deficiency from evidence provided will not be construed as a waiver of Tenant’s obligation to maintain such insurance.  In the event any of the insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant under this Lease shall be cancelled prior to the expiration date of such policy, or if Tenant receives notice of any cancellation of such insurance policies from the insurer prior to the expiration date of such policy, Tenant shall: (a) immediately deliver notice to Landlord that such insurance has been, or is to be, cancelled, (b) shall promptly replace such insurance policy in order to assure no lapse of coverage shall occur, and (c) shall deliver to Landlord a certificate of insurance for such policy. The insurance required to be maintained by Tenant hereunder are only Landlord’s minimum insurance requirements and Tenant agrees and understands that such insurance requirements may not be sufficient to fully meet Tenant’s insurance needs.

                           The all risk or special form property insurance obtained by Landlord and Tenant shall include a waiver of subrogation by the insurers and all rights based upon an assignment from its insured, against Landlord or Tenant, their officers, directors , employees, managers, agents, invitees and contractors, in connection with any loss or damage thereby insured against.  Neither party nor its officers, directors, employees, managers, agents, invitees or contractors shall be liable to the other for loss or damage caused by any risk coverable by all risk or special form property insurance, and each party waives any claims against the other party, and its officers, directors, employees, managers, agents, invitees and contractors for such loss or damage.  The failure of a party to insure its property shall not void this waiver.  Tenant and its agents, employees and contractors shall not be liable for, and Landlord hereby waives all claims against such parties for losses resulting from an interruption of Landlord’s business, or any person claiming through Landlord, resulting from any accident or occurrence in or upon the Premises or the Project from any cause whatsoever, including without limitation, damage caused in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the negligence of Tenant or its agents, employees or contractors. Landlord and its agents, employees and contractors shall not be liable for, and Tenant hereby waives all claims against such parties for losses resulting from an interruption of Tenant’s business, or any person claiming through Tenant, resulting from any accident or occurrence in or upon the Premises or the Project from any cause whatsoever, including without limitation, damage caused in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the negligence of Landlord or its agents, employees or contractors.

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10.           Landlord's Repairs .  During the Lease Term and any extensions thereof, Landlord, at its sole cost and expense and without pass through as an Operating Expense, shall keep, maintain and make repairs in good, tenantable condition and make all replacements to, the structural soundness of the following: the roof (which does not include the roof membrane but does include matters covered by the Roof Warranty defined in Paragraph 2), the foundation (including without limitation structural components of the floor slabs, with Tenant hereby acknowledging that some immaterial cracks may occur that do not necessarily indicate a structural failure of the floor slab), exterior walls and all structural portions of the Building, reasonable wear and tear and uninsured losses and damages caused by Tenant, its agents and contractors excluded.  The term "walls" as used in this Paragraph 10 shall not include windows, glass or plate glass, doors or overhead doors, special store fronts, dock bumpers, dock plates or levelers, or office entries.  Tenant shall promptly give Landlord written notice of any repair required by Landlord pursuant to this Paragraph 10, after which Landlord shall have a reasonable opportunity to repair.

11.           Tenant's Repairs .  Landlord, at Tenant's expense as provided in Paragraph 6, shall maintain in good repair and condition the parking areas and other common areas of the Building, including, but not limited to driveways, alleys, landscape and grounds surrounding the Premises.  Subject to Landlord's obligation in Paragraph 10 and subject to Paragraphs 9 and 15, Tenant, at its expense, shall repair,  replace and maintain in good condition all portions of the Premises and all areas, improvements and systems exclusively serving the Premises including, without limitation, dock and loading areas, truck doors, plumbing, water and sewer lines up to points of common connection, fire sprinklers and fire protection systems, entries, doors, ceilings, windows, interior walls, and the interior side of demising walls, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.  Such repair and replacements include capital expenditures and repairs whose benefit may extend beyond the Term;   provided in all events Landlord shall complete such capital repairs and such capital expenditures shall be fully amortized in accordance with the Formula (defined hereafter) and reimbursed to Landlord over the remainder of the Lease Term, without regard to any extension or renewal option not then exercised.  The "Formula" shall mean that number, the numerator of which shall be the number of months of the Lease Term remaining after such capital expenditures, and the denominator of which shall be the amortization period (in months) equal to the useful life of such repair or replacement multiplied by the cost of such capital expenditure or repair. Landlord shall pay for such capital expenditures and repairs and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for its amortized share of same (determined as hereinabove set forth) in equal monthly installments in the same manner as the payment by Tenant to Landlord of the Operating Expenses.  In the event Tenant extends the Lease Term either by way of an option or negotiated extension, such reimbursement by Tenant shall continue as provided above until such amortization period has expired.  Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other mechanical and building systems exclusively serving the Premises shall be maintained at Tenant's expense pursuant to maintenance service contracts entered into by Tenant or, at Landlord's election, by Landlord, in which case the costs of such contracts entered into by Landlord shall be included as an Operating Expense.  The scope of services and contractors under such maintenance contracts shall be reasonably approved by Landlord.  If Tenant fails to perform any repair or replacement for which it is responsible under this Lease thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from Landlord, Landlord may perform such work using commercially reasonable methods and at commercially reasonable rates and be reimbursed by Tenant within 30 days after demand therefor.  Subject to Paragraphs 9 and 15, Tenant shall bear the full cost of any repair or replacement to any part of the Building or Project that results from damage caused by Tenant, its agents, contractors, or invitees.

                           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Tenant’s repair and replacement obligations shall not be applicable to any costs covered by the Roof Warranty, the Construction Warranty or any costs incurred by Landlord to correct latent defects in the initial construction of the Building.

12.           Tenant-Made Alterations and Trade Fixtures.   Any alterations, additions, or improvements made by or on behalf of Tenant to the Premises ("Tenant-Made Alterations"), which are interior, non-structural Tenant-Made Alterations, the cost of which exceeds $50,000 in each instance, shall be subject to Landlord's prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned provided that such alteration does not materially affect the structure or the roof of the Building, modify the exterior of the Building, or modify the utility or mechanical systems of the Project.  Tenant shall have the right to perform interior, non-structural Tenant-Made Alterations, the cost of which does not exceed $50,000 in each instance, without obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent, by providing a written notice of such Tenant-Made Alterations to Landlord containing sufficient and complete information regarding such Tenant-Made Alterations, provided that such alteration does not materially affect the structure or the roof of the Building, modify the exterior of the Building, or modify the utility or mechanical systems of the Building.  Tenant shall not perform structural Tenant-Made Alterations without Landlord’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Tenant shall cause, at its expense, all Tenant-Made Alterations to comply with insurance requirements and with Legal Requirements and shall construct at its expense any alteration or modification required by Legal Requirements as a result of any Tenant-Made Alterations.  All Tenant-Made Alterations shall be constructed in a good and workmanlike manner by contractors reasonably acceptable to Landlord and only good grades of materials shall be used.   All plans and specifications for any Tenant-Made Alterations requiring Landlord’s consent shall be submitted to Landlord for its approval.  Landlord may monitor construction of the Tenant-Made Alterations.  Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for its reasonable, out-of-pocket costs in reviewing plans and specifications and in monitoring construction.  Landlord's right to review plans and specifications and to monitor construction shall be solely for its own benefit, and Landlord shall have no duty to see that such plans and specifications or construction comply with applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations.  Where Landlord’s consent to Tenant-Made Alterations is required, Tenant shall provide Landlord with the identities and mailing addresses of all persons performing work or supplying materials, prior to beginning such construction, and Landlord may post on and about the Premises notices of non-responsibility pursuant to applicable law.  Tenant shall furnish security or make other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Landlord to assure payment for the completion of all work projects estimated to exceed $250,000.00 in costs free and clear of liens and shall provide certificates of insurance for worker's compensation and other coverage in amounts and from an insurance company reasonably satisfactory to Landlord protecting Landlord against liability for personal injury or property damage during construction.  Upon completion of any Tenant-Made Alterations, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord sworn or notarized statements or affidavits setting forth the names of all contractors and subcontractors who did work on the Tenant-Made Alterations and final lien waivers from all subcontractors or a final affidavit of lien waiver from the general contractor.  Upon surrender of the Premises, all Tenant-Made Alterations and any leasehold improvements constructed by Landlord or Tenant shall remain on the Premises as Landlord's property, except to the extent Landlord requires removal at Tenant's expense of any such items or Landlord and Tenant have otherwise agreed in writing in connection with Landlord's consent to any Tenant-Made Alterations.  Tenant shall repair any damage caused by the removal of such Tenant-Made Alterations upon surrender of the Premises.

 
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                           Tenant, at its own cost and expense and without Landlord's prior approval, may erect such shelves, racking, bins, machinery and trade fixtures (collectively "Trade Fixtures") in the ordinary course of its business provided that such items do not alter the basic character of the Premises, do not overload or damage the Premises, and may be removed without injury to the Premises, and the construction, erection, and installation thereof complies with all Legal Requirements and with Landlord's requirements set forth above.  Tenant shall remove its Trade Fixtures and shall repair any damage caused by such removal upon surrender of the Premises, with racking bolts cut flush to the floor and repaired with an epoxy or polymer (concrete color) only if concrete damage has occurred .

13.           Signs .  Tenant shall not make any changes to the exterior of the Premises, install any exterior lights, decorations, balloons, flags, pennants, banners, or painting, or erect or install any signs, windows or door lettering, placards, decorations, or advertising media of any type which can be viewed from the exterior of the Premises, without Landlord's prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Upon surrender or vacation of the Premises, Tenant shall have removed all signs and repair, paint, and/or replace the building facia surface to which its signs are attached.  Tenant shall obtain all applicable governmental permits and approvals for sign and exterior treatments.  All signs, decorations, advertising media, blinds, draperies and other window treatment or bars or other security installations visible from outside the Premises shall be subject to Landlord's approval and conform in all respects to Landlord's requirements.

                           Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall have the right to install signage on the exterior wall of the Building, provided that such signage is in accordance with Legal Requirements, no neon signage shall be permitted, and such signage is consistent with the signage on other Prologis buildings within the Las Vegas Corporate Center project.  Within thirty (30) days from demand by Tenant, Landlord shall contribute a Signage Allowance up to a maximum amount of $15,000.00 (the “Signage Allowance”) toward Landlord approved signage, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, including but not limited to, building face sign and dock door decals, and Tenant shall be solely responsible for all costs in excess of the Signage Allowance.

14.          Parking .  Tenant shall be entitled to Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Building parking, which as of the date hereof is 100 percent.  Landlord shall not be responsible for enforcing Tenant's parking rights against any third parties.

15.          Restoration.   If at any time during the Lease Term the Premises are damaged by a fire or other casualty, Landlord shall notify Tenant within 45 days after such damage as to the amount of time Landlord reasonably estimates it will take to restore the Premises.  If the restoration time is estimated to exceed 6 months, either Landlord or Tenant may elect to terminate this Lease upon notice to the other party given no later than 30 days after Landlord's notice.  If neither party elects to terminate this Lease or if Landlord estimates that restoration will take 6 months or less, then, subject to receipt of sufficient insurance proceeds, Landlord shall promptly restore the Premises excluding the improvements installed by Tenant or by Landlord and paid by Tenant, subject to delays arising from the collection of insurance proceeds or from Force Majeure events.  Tenant at Tenant's expense shall promptly perform, subject to delays arising from the collection of insurance proceeds, or from Force Majeure events (as defined in Paragraph 33), all repairs or restoration not required to be done by Landlord and shall promptly re-enter the Premises and commence doing business in accordance with this Lease.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Lease if the Premises are damaged during the last year of the Lease Term or any extensions thereof and Landlord reasonably estimates that it will take more than one month to repair such damage.  Base Rent and Operating Expenses shall be abated for the period of repair and restoration commencing on the date of such casualty event in the proportion which the area of the Premises, if any, which is not usable by Tenant bears to the total area of the Premises.  Such abatement shall be the sole remedy of Tenant, and except as provided herein, Tenant waives any right to terminate the Lease by reason of damage or casualty loss.

                           Notwithstanding anything contained in the Lease to the contrary, to the extent the damage to the Project is attributable to Tenant, Tenant shall pay to Landlord with respect to any damage to the Project an amount of the commercially reasonable deductible under Landlord's insurance policy, not to exceed $10,000.00, within 30 days after presentment of Landlord's invoice.

16.           Condemnation .  If any part of the Premises or the Project should be taken for any public or quasi‑public use under governmental law, ordinance, or regulation, or by right of eminent domain, or by purchase in lieu thereof (a "Taking" or "Taken"), and the Taking would materially interfere with or impair Landlord’s ownership or operation of the Project, then upon written notice by Landlord this Lease shall terminate and Base Rent shall be apportioned as of said date.  If part of the Premises shall be Taken, and this Lease is not terminated as provided above, the Base Rent payable hereunder during the unexpired Lease Term shall be reduced to such extent as may be fair and reasonable under the circumstances.  In the event of any such Taking, Landlord shall be entitled to receive the entire price or award from any such Taking without any payment to Tenant, and Tenant hereby assigns to Landlord Tenant's interest, if any, in such award.  Tenant shall have the right, to the extent that same shall not diminish Landlord's award, to make a separate claim against the condemning authority (but not Landlord) for such compensation as may be separately awarded or recoverable by Tenant for moving expenses and damage to Tenant's Trade Fixtures, if a separate award for such items is made to Tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the part of the Premises or the Project so Taken shall contain more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total area of the Premises and in Tenant's reasonable judgment, such Taking would materially interfere with or impair Tenant's operations at the Premises, or if by reason of such Taking, Tenant no longer has reasonable means of access to the Premises, Tenant, at Tenant’s option, may give to Landlord within thirty (30) days of such Taking, notice of termination of this Lease.

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17.          Assignment and Subletting .  Without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld conditioned or delayed, Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublease the Premises or any part thereof or mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate its leasehold interest or grant any concession or license within the Premises.  It shall be reasonable for the Landlord to withhold, delay or condition its consent, where required, to any assignment or sublease in any of the following instances: (i) the assignee or sublessee does not have a net worth calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles at least equal to the greater of the net worth of Tenant immediately prior to such assignment or sublease or the net worth of the Tenant at the time it executed the Lease; (ii) occupancy of the Premises by the assignee or sublessee would, in Landlord's opinion, violate any agreement binding upon Landlord or the Project with regard to the identity of tenants, usage in the Project, or similar matters; (iii) the identity or business reputation of the assignee or sublessee will, in the good faith judgment of Landlord, tend to damage the goodwill or reputation of the Project; (iv) the assignment or sublease is to another tenant in the Project and is at rates which are below those charged by Landlord for comparable space in the Project; or (v) in the case of a sublease, the subtenant has not acknowledged that the Lease controls over any inconsistent provision in the sublease.    Any approved assignment or sublease shall be expressly subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease.  Tenant shall provide to Landlord all information concerning the assignee or sublessee as Landlord may reasonably request and Landlord shall provide its consent to or disapproval of the proposed assignment or sublease within fourteen (14) days after receipt.  Landlord may revoke its consent immediately and without notice if, as of the effective date of the assignment or sublease, there has occurred and is continuing any default under the Lease.  For purposes of this paragraph, a transfer of the ownership interests controlling Tenant shall be deemed an assignment of this Lease unless such ownership interests are publicly traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, provided no uncured default has occurred under this Lease, and subject to the provisions herein, Tenant may, without Landlord’s prior written consent, assign this Lease to any entity into which Tenant is merged or consolidated, or to any entity to which substantially all of Tenant’s assets are transferred, provided the following conditions are met:  (x) such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets is not principally for the purpose of transferring Tenant's leasehold estate, (y) such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets does not adversely affect the legal existence of the Tenant hereunder, and (z) such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets of Tenant does not reduce the tangible net worth of Tenant after giving effect to such transfer (“Permitted Transfer”).  Tenant hereby agrees to give Landlord written notice thirty (30) days prior to such merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets along with any documentation reasonably requested by Landlord related to the required conditions as provided above. Notwithstanding the above, Tenant may assign or sublet the Premises, or any part thereof, to any entity controlling Tenant, controlled by Tenant or under common control with Tenant (a "Tenant Affiliate"), without the prior written consent of Landlord.  Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for all of Landlord's reasonable expenses in connection with any assignment or sublease not to exceed $1,500.00.  This Lease shall be binding upon Tenant and its successors and permitted assigns. Upon Landlord's receipt of Tenant's written notice of a desire to assign or sublet 50 percent or more of the Premises, or any part thereof (other than to a Tenant Affiliate or if a Permitted Transfer), Landlord may, by giving written notice to Tenant within 30 days after receipt of Tenant's notice, terminate this Lease with respect to the space described in Tenant's notice, as of the date specified in Tenant's notice for the commencement of the proposed assignment or sublease. Tenant may withdraw its notice to sublease or assign by notifying Landlord within 10 business days after Landlord has given Tenant notice of such termination, in which case the Lease shall not terminate but shall continue.

                           Notwithstanding any assignment or subletting, Tenant and any guarantor or surety of Tenant's obligations under this Lease shall at all times remain fully responsible and liable for the payment of the rent and for compliance with all of Tenant's other obligations under this Lease (regardless of whether Landlord's approval has been obtained for any such assignments or sublettings).  In the event that the rent due and payable by a sublessee or assignee (or a combination of the rental payable under such sublease or assignment plus any bonus or other consideration therefor or incident thereto) exceeds the rental payable under this Lease, then Tenant shall be bound and obligated to pay Landlord as additional rent hereunder 50% of such excess rental and other excess consideration, less Tenant’s reasonable expenses, within 10 days following receipt thereof by Tenant; provided in the event of a sublease which is less than 100% of the Premises such excess rental and other consideration shall be applied on a square foot basis.

                           If this Lease be assigned or if the Premises be subleased (whether in whole or in part) or in the event of the mortgage, pledge, or hypothecation of Tenant's leasehold interest or grant of any concession or license within the Premises or if the Premises be occupied in whole or in part by anyone other than Tenant, then upon a default by Tenant hereunder Landlord may collect rent from the assignee, sublessee, mortgagee, pledgee, party to whom the leasehold interest was hypothecated, concessionee or licensee or other occupant and, except to the extent set forth in the preceding paragraph, apply the amount collected to the next rent payable hereunder; and all such rentals collected by Tenant shall be held in trust for Landlord and immediately forwarded to Landlord.  No such transaction or collection of rent or application thereof by Landlord, however, shall be deemed a waiver of these provisions or a release of Tenant from the further performance by Tenant of its covenants, duties, or obligations hereunder.

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18.           Indemnification .   Except for the negligence of Landlord, its agents, employees or contractors, and to the extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Landlord, and Landlord's agents, employees, directors, officers, partners and contractors, from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) resulting from claims by third parties for injuries to any person and damage to or theft or misappropriation or loss of property occurring in or about the Project and arising from the use and occupancy of the Premises or from any activity, work, or thing done, permitted or suffered by Tenant in or about the Premises or due to any other act or omission of Tenant, its subtenants, assignees, invitees, employees, contractors and agents.  The furnishing of insurance required hereunder shall not be deemed to limit Tenant's obligations under this Paragraph 18. Except for the negligence of Tenant, its agents, employees or contractors, and to the extent permitted by law, Landlord agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Tenant, and Tenant's agents, employees directors, officers, partners and contractors, from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) resulting from claims by third parties for injuries to any person and damage to or theft or misappropriation or loss of property occurring in or about the Project and arising from any activity, work, or thing done, permitted or suffered by Landlord in or about the Project and arising from any other act or omission of Landlord, its assignees, invitees, employees, contractors and agents.  The furnishing of insurance required hereunder shall not be deemed to limit Landlord's obligations under this Paragraph 18.

                           If a claim under the foregoing indemnity is made against the indemnitee which the indemnitee believes to be covered by an indemnitor's indemnification obligations hereunder, the indemnitee shall promptly notify the indemnitor of the claim.   The party seeking indemnification hereunder shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing of any claim and cooperate with the indemnifying party at the indemnifying party's sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall immediately take control of the defense and investigation of such claim and shall employ counsel to handle and defend the same, at the indemnifying party's sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall not settle any claim in a manner that adversely affects the rights of the indemnified party without the indemnified party's prior written consent. The indemnified party's failure to perform any obligations under this Paragraph shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Paragraph except to the extent that the indemnifying party can demonstrate that it has been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure. The indemnified party may participate in and observe the proceedings at its own cost and expense. If any such claim arises out of the negligence of both Landlord and Tenant, responsibility for such claim shall be allocated between Landlord and Tenant based on their respective degrees of negligence.

                           This indemnity does not cover claims arising from the presence or release of Hazardous Materials.

19.          Inspection and Access .  Landlord and its agents, representatives, and contractors may enter the Premises at any reasonable time   upon twenty-four (24) hours advance notice (except in the case of an emergency when such notice as is reasonable shall be given), to inspect the Premises and to make such repairs as may be required or permitted pursuant to this Lease and for any other business purpose.  Landlord and Landlord's representatives may enter the Premises during business hours for the purpose of showing the Premises to prospective purchasers and, during the last year of the Lease Term, to prospective tenants.  Landlord may erect a suitable sign on the Premises stating the Premises are available to let or that the Project is available for sale.  Landlord may grant easements, make public dedications, designate and modify common areas and create restrictions on or about the Premises, provided that no such easement, dedication, designation, modification or restriction materially interferes with Tenant's use or occupancy of the Premises.  At Landlord's request, Tenant shall execute such instruments as may be necessary for such easements, dedications or restrictions.

20.          Quiet Enjoyment .  If there is no Event of Default, Tenant shall, subject to the terms of this Lease, at all times during the Lease Term, have peaceful and quiet enjoyment of the Premises against any person claiming by, through or under Landlord.

21.           Surrender .  Upon termination of the Lease Term or earlier termination of Tenant's right of possession, Tenant shall surrender the Premises to Landlord in the same condition as received ordinary wear and tear, casualty loss and condemnation covered by Paragraphs 15 and 16 excepted and otherwise in accordance with the Move Out Conditions Addendum attached hereto.  Without limiting the foregoing, Tenant shall remove any odor which may exist in the Premises resulting from Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises upon the termination of the Lease Term or earlier termination of Tenant’s right of possession.  Any Trade Fixtures, Tenant-Made Alterations and property not so removed by Tenant as permitted or required herein shall be deemed abandoned and may be stored, removed, and disposed of by Landlord at Tenant's expense, and Tenant waives all claims against Landlord for any damages resulting from Landlord's retention and disposition of such property.  All obligations of Tenant hereunder not fully performed as of the termination of the Lease Term shall survive the termination of the Lease Term, including without limitation, indemnity obligations, payment obligations with respect to Operating Expenses and obligations concerning the condition and repair of the Premises.

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22.           Holding Over .  If Tenant retains possession of the Premises after the termination of the Lease Term (or any extension terms thereof), unless otherwise agreed in writing, such possession shall be subject to immediate termination by Landlord at any time, and all of the other terms and provisions of this Lease (excluding any expansion or renewal option or other similar right or option) shall be applicable during such holdover period, except that (a) for the first month Tenant is a holdover Tenant, Tenant shall pay Landlord, upon demand, as Base Rent for such holdover period, an amount equal to 125 percent of the Base Rent in effect on the termination date, and (b) for the second month and any additional month thereafter that Tenant is in holdover, Tenant shall pay Landlord, upon demand, as Base Rent for such holdover period, an amount equal to 150 percent of the Base Rent in effect on the termination date, computed on a monthly basis for each month or part thereof during such holding over.  All other payments shall continue under the terms of this Lease.  In addition, Tenant shall be liable for all damages incurred by Landlord as a result of such holding over; provided, however, that Landlord provides Tenant with written notice that Landlord is in negotiations with another prospective tenant, and Tenant fails to thereafter surrender the Premises in accordance with this Lease on, or prior to, the date identified in Landlord’s notice.  No holding over by Tenant, whether with or without consent of Landlord, shall operate to extend this Lease except as otherwise expressly provided, and this Paragraph 22 shall not be construed as consent for Tenant to retain possession of the Premises.  For purposes of this Paragraph 22, “possession of the Premises” shall continue until, among other things, Tenant has delivered all keys to the Premises to Landlord, Landlord has complete and total dominion and control over the Premises, and Tenant has completely fulfilled all obligations required of it upon termination of the Lease as set forth in this Lease, including, without limitation, those concerning the condition and repair of the Premises.

23.           Events of Default .  Each of the following events shall be an event of default ("Event of Default") by Tenant under this Lease:

(i)              Tenant shall fail to pay any installment of Base Rent or any other payment required herein when due, and such failure shall continue for a period of 5 business days after written notice from Landlord to Tenant that such payment was due; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be obligated to provide written notice of such failure more than 1 time in any consecutive 12-month period, and the failure of Tenant to pay any second or subsequent installment of Base Rent or any other payment required herein when due in any consecutive 12-month period shall constitute an Event of Default by Tenant under this Lease without the requirement of notice or opportunity to cure; provided, however, that any such notice shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required under applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Lease, if there is an Event of Default under this subparagraph 23(i), prior to Landlord exercising a Lease termination remedy under Paragraph 24, Landlord shall first provide Tenant with an additional written notice of the Event of Default under this subparagraph 23(i), and Tenant shall have 10 days to pay all outstanding amounts due to cure such Event of Default prior to Landlord exercising its termination remedies.

(ii)            Tenant or any guarantor or surety of Tenant's obligations hereunder shall (A) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) commence any case, proceeding or other action seeking to have an order for relief entered on its behalf as a debtor or to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, liquidation, dissolution or composition of it or its debts or seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or of any substantial part of its property (collectively a "proceeding for relief"); (C) become the subject of any proceeding for relief which is not dismissed within 60 days of its filing or entry; or (D) die or suffer a legal disability (if Tenant, guarantor, or surety is an individual) or be dissolved or otherwise fail to maintain its legal existence (if Tenant, guarantor or surety is a corporation, partnership or other entity).

(iii)           Any insurance required to be maintained by Tenant pursuant to this Lease shall be cancelled or terminated or shall expire or shall be reduced or materially changed, except, in each case, as permitted in this Lease.

(iv)          Tenant shall not occupy or shall vacate the Premises whether or not Tenant is in monetary or other default under this Lease. Tenant's vacating of the Premises shall not constitute an Event of Default if, prior to vacating the Premises, Tenant has made arrangements reasonably acceptable to Landlord to (a) ensure that Tenant's insurance for the Premises will not be voided or cancelled with respect to the Premises as a result of such vacancy, (b) ensure that the Premises are secured and not subject to vandalism, and (c) ensure that the Premises will be properly maintained after such vacation, including, but not limited to, keeping the heating, ventilation and cooling systems maintenance contracts required by this Lease in full force and effect and maintaining the utility services.  Tenant shall inspect the Premises at least once each month and report monthly in writing to Landlord on the condition of the Premises.

(v)           Tenant shall attempt or there shall occur any assignment, subleasing or other transfer of Tenant's interest in or with respect to this Lease except as otherwise permitted in this Lease.

(vi)          Tenant shall fail to discharge any lien placed upon the Premises in violation of this Lease within 20 days after any such lien or encumbrance is filed against the Premises.

(vii)        Tenant shall fail to comply with any provision of this Lease other than those specifically referred to in this Paragraph 23, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, such default shall continue for more than 30 days after Landlord shall have given Tenant written notice of such default (said notice being in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required as a prerequisite to a forcible entry and detainer or similar action for possession of the Premises).

24.           Landlord's Remedies .  Upon each occurrence of an Event of Default and so long as such Event of Default shall be continuing, Landlord may at any time thereafter at its election: terminate this Lease or Tenant's right of possession, (but Tenant shall remain liable as hereinafter provided) and/or pursue any other remedies at law or in equity.  Upon the termination of this Lease or termination of Tenant's right of possession, it shall be lawful for Landlord, without formal demand or notice of any kind, to re-enter the Premises by summary dispossession proceedings or any other action or proceeding authorized by law and to remove Tenant and all persons and property therefrom.  If Landlord re-enters the Premises, Landlord shall have the right to keep in place and use, or remove and store, all of the furniture, fixtures and equipment at the Premises. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Lease, if there is an Event of Default under subparagraph 23(i), prior to Landlord exercising a Lease termination remedy under this Paragraph 24, Landlord shall first provide Tenant with an additional written notice of the Event of Default under subparagraph 23(i), and Tenant shall have 10 days to pay all outstanding amounts due to cure such Event of Default prior to Landlord exercising its termination remedies.

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                           If Landlord terminates this Lease, Landlord may recover from Tenant the sum of:  all Base Rent and all other amounts accrued hereunder to the date of such termination; the value of the Base Rent for any periods of abated Monthly Base Rent based on the Monthly Base Rent amount that immediately follows such period of abatement; the cost of reletting the whole or any part of the Premises, including without limitation brokerage fees and/or leasing commissions incurred by Landlord, and costs of removing and storing Tenant's or any other occupant's property, repairing, altering, remodeling, or otherwise putting the Premises into condition acceptable to a new tenant or tenants, and all reasonable expenses incurred by Landlord in pursuing its remedies, including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs; and the excess of the then present value of the Base Rent and other amounts payable by Tenant under this Lease as would otherwise have been required to be paid by Tenant to Landlord during the period following the termination of this Lease measured from the date of such termination to the expiration date stated in this Lease, over the present value of any net amounts which Tenant establishes Landlord can reasonably expect to recover by reletting the Premises for such period, taking into consideration the availability of acceptable tenants and other market conditions affecting leasing.  Such present values shall be calculated at a discount rate equal to the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate at the date of such termination.

                           If Landlord terminates Tenant's right to possession (but not this Lease) without terminating the Lease after an Event of Default, Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to relet the Premises without thereby releasing Tenant from any liability hereunder and without demand  or notice of any kind to Tenant; provided, however, (a) Landlord shall not be obligated to accept any tenant proposed by Tenant, (b) Landlord shall have the right to lease any other space controlled by Landlord first, and (c) any proposed tenant shall meet all of Landlord's leasing criteria.  For the purpose of such reletting Landlord is authorized to make any repairs, changes, alterations, or additions in or to the Premises as Landlord deems reasonably necessary or desirable.  If the Premises are not relet, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord as damages a sum equal to the amount of the rental reserved in this Lease for such period or periods, plus the cost of recovering possession of the Premises (including attorneys' fees and costs of suit), the unpaid Base Rent and other amounts accrued hereunder at the time of repossession, and the costs incurred in any attempt by Landlord to relet the Premises.  If the Premises are relet and a sufficient sum shall not be realized from such reletting [after first deducting therefrom, for retention by Landlord, the unpaid Base Rent and other amounts accrued hereunder at the time of reletting, the cost of recovering possession (including attorneys' fees and costs of suit), all of the costs and expense of repairs, changes, alterations, and additions, the expense of such reletting (including without limitation brokerage fees and leasing commissions) and the cost of collection of the rent accruing therefrom] to satisfy the rent provided for in this Lease to be paid, then Tenant shall immediately satisfy and pay any such deficiency.  Any such payments due Landlord shall be made upon demand therefor from time to time and Tenant agrees that Landlord may file suit to recover any sums falling due from time to time.  Notwithstanding any such reletting without termination, Landlord may at any time thereafter elect in writing to terminate this Lease for such previous breach.

                           Exercise by Landlord of any one or more remedies hereunder granted or otherwise available shall not be deemed to be an acceptance of surrender of the Premises and/or a termination of this Lease by Landlord, whether by agreement or by operation of law, it being understood that such surrender and/or termination can be effected only by the written agreement of Landlord and Tenant.  Any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding, Landlord shall have the right at all times to enforce the provisions of this Lease in strict accordance with the terms hereof; and the failure of Landlord at any time to enforce its rights under this Lease strictly in accordance with same shall not be construed as having created a custom in any way or manner contrary to the specific terms, provisions, and covenants of this Lease or as having modified the same.  Tenant and Landlord further agree that forbearance or waiver by Landlord to enforce its rights pursuant to this Lease or at law or in equity, shall not be a waiver of Landlord's right to enforce one or more of its rights in connection with any subsequent default.  A receipt by Landlord of rent or other payment with knowledge of the breach of any covenant hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach, and no waiver by Landlord of any provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been made unless expressed in writing and signed by Landlord.  To the greatest extent permitted by law, Tenant waives the service of notice of Landlord's intention to re-enter as provided for in any statute, or to institute legal proceedings to that end, and also waives all right of redemption in case Tenant shall be dispossessed by a judgment or by warrant of any court or judge.  The terms "enter," "re-enter," "entry" or "re-entry," as used in this Lease, are not restricted to their technical legal meanings.  Any reletting of the Premises shall be on such terms and conditions as Landlord in its sole discretion may determine (including without limitation a term different than the remaining Lease Term, rental concessions, alterations and repair of the Premises, lease of less than the entire Premises to any tenant and leasing any or all other portions of the Project before reletting the Premises).  Landlord shall not be liable, nor shall Tenant's obligations hereunder be diminished because of, Landlord's failure to relet the Premises or collect rent due in respect of such reletting.

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25.          Tenant's Remedies/Limitation of Liability .  Landlord shall not be in default hereunder unless Landlord fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder within 30 days after written notice from Tenant specifying such failure (unless such performance will, due to the nature of the obligation, require a period of time in excess of 30 days, then after such period of time as is reasonably necessary).  In the event of any such Landlord default, Tenant shall have all legal remedies at law and in equity; and, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in this Lease, Tenant may not terminate this Lease for breach of Landlord's obligations hereunder.  All obligations of Landlord under this Lease will be binding upon Landlord only during the period of its ownership of the Premises and not thereafter.  The term "Landlord" in this Lease shall mean only the owner, for the time being of the Premises, and in the event of the transfer by such owner of its interest in the Premises, such owner shall thereupon be released and discharged from all obligations of Landlord thereafter accruing, but such obligations shall be binding during the Lease Term upon each new owner for the duration of such owner's ownership.  Any liability of Landlord under this Lease shall be limited solely to its interest in the Project, and in no event shall any personal liability be asserted against Landlord in connection with this Lease nor shall any recourse be had to any other property or assets of Landlord.

26.           Intentionally left blank .

27.           Subordination .  Landlord represents to Tenant that as of the date hereof the Building is not subject to or encumbered by a mortgage. In the event of the sale or assignment of all or part of the Building within which the Premises is contained, or in the event of any proceedings brought for the foreclosure of, or exercise of the power of sale under, any mortgage covering said Premises and all or part of said Building, Tenant shall and hereby agrees to attorn to and recognize such purchaser or mortgagee as landlord under this Lease provided that a standard non-disturbance and attornment agreement (“SNDA”) is executed and in any of such events, Landlord shall not be liable under this Lease. In the event Landlord subjects the Building to a mortgage, Tenant agrees to execute a commercially reasonable SNDA within 10 business days following Landlord’s written request, with such 10 business day period being extended during any period that Tenant is diligently and reasonably negotiating such SNDA in good faith. The term "mortgage" whenever used in this Lease shall be deemed to include deeds of trust, security assignments and any other encumbrances, and any reference to the "holder" of a mortgage shall be deemed to include the beneficiary under a deed of trust.

28.           Mechanic's Liens .  Tenant has no express or implied authority to create or place any lien or encumbrance of any kind upon, or in any manner to bind the interest of Landlord or Tenant in, the Premises or to charge the rentals payable hereunder for any claim in favor of any person dealing with Tenant, including those who may furnish materials or perform labor for any construction or repairs. Tenant covenants and agrees that it will pay or cause to be paid all sums legally due and payable by it on account of any labor performed or materials furnished in connection with any work performed on the Premises and that it will save and hold Landlord harmless from all loss, cost or expense based on or arising out of asserted claims or liens against the leasehold estate or against the interest of Landlord in the Premises or under this Lease.  Tenant shall give Landlord immediate written notice of the placing of any lien or encumbrance against the Premises and cause such lien or encumbrance to be discharged within 20 days of the filing or recording thereof; provided, however, Tenant may contest such liens or encumbrances as long as such  contest prevents foreclosure of the lien or encumbrance and Tenant causes such lien or encumbrance to be bonded or insured over in a manner satisfactory to Landlord within such 20 day period.

29.           Estoppel Certificates .  Tenant agrees, from time to time, within 15 days after request of Landlord, to execute and deliver to Landlord, or Landlord's designee, any estoppel certificate requested by Landlord, stating that this Lease is in full force and effect, the date to which rent has been paid, that Landlord is not in default hereunder (or specifying in detail the nature of Landlord's default), the termination date of this Lease and such other matters pertaining to this Lease as may be requested by Landlord.  Tenant's obligation to furnish each estoppel certificate in a timely fashion is a material inducement for Landlord's execution of this Lease.  No cure or grace period provided in this Lease shall apply to Tenant's obligations to timely deliver an estoppel certificate.

30.          Environmental Requirements Except for Hazardous Material contained in products used by Tenant in de minimis quantities for ordinary cleaning and office purposes, and except for propane used in Tenant’s forklifts in the normal course of its business, and except for fuel required for the generator, and except for Hazardous Materials contained in products stored and/or distributed during Tenant’s normal course of business in their original, sealed, and unopened containers , Tenant shall not permit or cause any party to bring any Hazardous Material upon the Premises or transport, store, use, generate, manufacture or release any Hazardous Material in or about the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent.  Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall operate its business in the Premises in strict compliance with all Environmental Requirements and shall remediate in a manner satisfactory to Landlord any Hazardous Materials released on or from the Project by Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors, subtenants or invitees.  Tenant shall complete and certify to disclosure statements as requested by Landlord from time to time relating to Tenant's transportation, storage, use, generation, manufacture or release of Hazardous Materials on the Premises.  The term "Environmental Requirements" means all applicable present and future statutes, regulations, ordinances, rules, codes, judgments, orders or other similar enactments of any governmental authority or agency regulating or relating to health, safety, or environmental conditions on, under, or about the Premises or the environment, including without limitation, the following:  the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and all state and local counterparts thereto, and any regulations or policies promulgated or issued thereunder.  The term "Hazardous Materials" means and includes any substance, material, waste, pollutant, or contaminant listed or defined as hazardous or toxic, under any Environmental Requirements, asbestos and petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas).  As defined in Environmental Requirements, Tenant is and shall be deemed to be the "operator" of Tenant's "facility" and the "owner" of all Hazardous Materials brought on the Premises by Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors or invitees, and the wastes, by-products, or residues generated, resulting, or produced therefrom.  No cure or grace period provided in this Lease shall apply to Tenant's obligations to comply with the terms and conditions of this Paragraph 30.

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                           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Paragraph 30, Tenant shall have no liability of any kind to Landlord as to Hazardous Materials on the Premises caused or permitted by (i) Landlord, its agents, employees, contractors or invitees; or (ii) any other tenants in the Project or their agents, employees, contractors, subtenants, assignees or invitees.

                           Tenant shall indemnify, defend, and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all losses (including, without limitation, diminution in value of the Premises or the Project and loss of rental income from the Project), claims, demands, actions, suits, damages (including, without limitation, punitive damages), expenses (including, without limitation, remediation, removal, repair, corrective action, or cleanup expenses), and costs (including, without limitation, actual attorneys' fees, consultant fees or expert fees and including, without limitation, removal or management of any asbestos brought into the property or disturbed in breach of the requirements of this Paragraph 30, regardless of whether such removal or management is required by law) which are brought or recoverable against, or suffered or incurred by Landlord as a result of any release of Hazardous Materials for which Tenant is obligated to remediate as provided above or any other breach of the requirements under this Paragraph 30 by Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors, subtenants, assignees or invitees, regardless of whether Tenant had knowledge of such noncompliance.  The obligations of Tenant under this Paragraph 30 shall survive any termination of this Lease.

                           Landlord shall have access to, and a right to perform inspections and tests of, the Premises to determine Tenant's compliance with Environmental Requirements, its obligations under this Paragraph 30, or the environmental condition of the Premises.  Access shall be granted to Landlord upon Landlord's prior notice to Tenant and at such times so as to minimize, so far as may be reasonable under the circumstances, any disturbance to Tenant's operations.  Such inspections and tests shall be conducted at Landlord's expense, unless such inspections or tests reveal that Tenant has not complied with any Environmental Requirement, in which case Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the reasonable cost of such inspection and tests.  Landlord's receipt of or satisfaction with any environmental assessment in no way waives any rights that Landlord holds against Tenant.

31.           Rules and Regulations .  Tenant shall, at all times during the Lease Term and any extension thereof, comply with all reasonable rules and regulations at any time or from time to time established by Landlord and provided to Tenant in writing, covering use of the Premises and the Project.  The current Project rules and regulations are attached hereto as Exhibit B.  In the event of any conflict between said rules and regulations and other provisions of this Lease, the other terms and provisions of this Lease shall control.  Landlord shall not have any liability or obligation for the breach of any rules or regulations by other tenants in the Project.

32.          Security Service .  Tenant acknowledges and agrees that, while Landlord may patrol the Project, Landlord is not providing any security services with respect to the Premises and that Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for, and Tenant waives any claim against Landlord with respect to, any loss by theft or any other damage suffered or incurred by Tenant in connection with any unauthorized entry into the Premises or any other breach of security with respect to the Premises (unless committed by Landlord or its employees or arising directly out of any negligence or omission by Landlord).

33.           Force Majeure .  Except for the payment of monetary obligations, neither party shall be held responsible for delays in the performance of its obligations hereunder when caused by strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, acts of God, inability to obtain labor or materials or reasonable substitutes therefor, governmental restrictions, governmental regulations, governmental controls, delay in issuance of permits, enemy or hostile governmental action, civil commotion, fire or other casualty, and other causes beyond the reasonable control of such party ("Force Majeure").

34.          Entire Agreement .  This Lease constitutes the complete agreement of Landlord and Tenant with respect to the subject matter hereof.  No representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or written, have been made by Landlord or Tenant, or anyone acting on behalf of Landlord or Tenant, which are not contained herein, and any prior agreements, promises, negotiations, or representations are superseded by this Lease.  This Lease may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

35.          Severability .  If any clause or provision of this Lease is illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws, then and in that event, it is the intention of the parties hereto that the remainder of this Lease shall not be affected thereby.  It is also the intention of the parties to this Lease that in lieu of each clause or provision of this Lease that is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, there be added, as a part of this Lease, a clause or provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable clause or provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

36.           Brokers .  Each party represents and warrants to the other party that it has dealt with no broker, agent or other person in connection with this transaction and that no broker, agent or other person brought about this transaction, other than the brokers, if any, set forth on the first page(s) of this Lease (collectively, “Brokers”). The execution and delivery of this Lease by each party shall be conclusive evidence that such party has relied upon the foregoing representation and warranty. Each party agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless from and against any claims by any other broker, agent or other person claiming a commission or other form of compensation by virtue of having dealt with the indemnifying party with regard to this leasing transaction. Landlord shall pay all commission, fees and other payments owed to the Brokers pursuant to a separate written agreement between Landlord and such Brokers. The provisions of this Paragraph 36 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.

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37.           Miscellaneous .        (a)           Any payments or charges due from Tenant to Landlord hereunder shall be considered rent for all purposes of this Lease.

(b)            If and when included within the term "Tenant," as used in this instrument, there is more than one person, firm or corporation, each shall be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of Tenant.

(c)           All notices required or permitted to be given under this Lease shall be in writing and shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by a reputable national overnight courier service, postage prepaid, or by hand delivery addressed to Landlord at 4031 North Pecos Road, Suite 107, Las Vegas, Nevada 89115 , with a copy sent to Landlord at 4545 Airport Way, Denver, Colorado  80239, Attention: General Counsel, and to Tenant at 11 Harbor Park Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050, Attention: Alan Schaeffer with a copy to General Counsel .  Either party may by notice given aforesaid change its address for all subsequent notices or add an additional party to be copied on all subsequent notices.  Except where otherwise expressly provided to the contrary, notice shall be deemed given upon delivery.

(d)           Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Lease or as otherwise required by law, Landlord retains the absolute right to withhold any consent or approval.

(e)           In the event of (i) a default by Tenant of its obligations under the Lease, or (ii) a need by Landlord to effectuate a financing transaction or sale of the Building, or (iii) an assignment or subletting of the Lease by Tenant, or (iv) the exercise of a renewal option by Tenant, then at Landlord's request from time to time Tenant shall furnish Landlord with true and complete copies of its most recent annual and quarterly financial statements prepared by Tenant or Tenant's accountants. Landlord shall execute a commercially reasonable confidentiality agreement prior to receiving any such financial statements from Tenant.

(f)           Neither this Lease nor a memorandum of lease shall be filed by or on behalf of Tenant in any public record.  Landlord may prepare and file, and upon request by Landlord Tenant will execute, a memorandum of lease.

(g)         The normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Lease or any exhibits or amendments hereto.

(h)         The submission by Landlord to Tenant of this Lease shall have no binding force or effect, shall not constitute an option for the leasing of the Premises, nor confer any right or impose any obligations upon either party until execution of this Lease by both parties.

(i)            Words of any gender used in this Lease shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, unless the context otherwise requires.  The captions inserted in this Lease are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or otherwise describe the scope or intent of this Lease, or any provision hereof, or in any way affect the interpretation of this Lease.

(j)             Any amount not paid by Tenant within 5 business days after notice from Landlord to Tenant that such payment was due (provided, however, that Landlord shall not be obligated to provide written notice of such failure more than 1 times in any consecutive 12-month period) shall bear interest from such due date until paid in full at the lesser of the highest rate permitted by applicable law or 12 percent per year.  It is expressly the intent of Landlord and Tenant at all times to comply with applicable law governing the maximum rate or amount of any interest payable on or in connection with this Lease.  If applicable law is ever judicially interpreted so as to render usurious any interest called for under this Lease, or contracted for, charged, taken, reserved, or received with respect to this Lease, then it is Landlord's and Tenant's express intent that all excess amounts theretofore collected by Landlord be credited on the applicable obligation (or, if the obligation has been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded to Tenant), and the provisions of this Lease immediately shall be deemed reformed and the amounts thereafter collectible hereunder reduced, without the necessity of the execution of any new document, so as to comply with the applicable law, but so as to permit the recovery of the fullest amount otherwise called for hereunder.

(k)           Construction and interpretation of this Lease shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Project is located, excluding any principles of conflicts of laws.

(l)             Time is of the essence as to the performance of Tenant's and Landlord’s obligations under this Lease.

(m)          All exhibits and addenda attached hereto are hereby incorporated into this Lease and made a part hereof.  In the event of any conflict between such exhibits or addenda and the terms of this Lease, such exhibits or addenda shall control.

(n)          In the event either party hereto initiates litigation to enforce the terms and provisions of this Lease, the non-prevailing party in such action shall reimburse the prevailing party for its reasonable attorney's fees, filing fees, and court costs.
 
(o)           Tenant agrees and understands that Landlord shall have the right (provided that the exercise of Landlord’s rights does not adversely affect Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Premises or subject Tenant to additional costs), without Tenant’s consent, to place a solar electric generating system on the roof of the Building or enter into a lease for the roof of the Building whereby such roof tenant shall have the right to install a solar electric generating system on the roof of the Building; provided, however, that Landlord shall remain solely responsible for the payment of any increased costs of ensuring that the roof is maintained in a watertight condition and free of leaks throughout the Lease Term or any extension terms thereof due to such solar system installation, and for any and all repairs in relation thereto to ensure compliance thereof. Upon receipt of written request from Landlord, Tenant, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall deliver to Landlord data regarding the electricity consumed in the operation of the Premises (the “Energy Data”) for purposes of regulatory compliance, manual and automated benchmarking, energy management, building environmental performance labeling and other related purposes, including but not limited, to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star rating system and other energy benchmarking systems.  Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to utilize automated data transmittal services offered by utility companies to access the Energy Data. Landlord shall not publicly disclose Energy Data without Tenant’s prior written consent. Landlord may, however, disclose Energy Data that has been modified, combined or aggregated in a manner such that the resulting data is not exclusively attributable to Tenant.
 
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(p)           This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of such counterparts shall constitute one Lease.  Execution copies of this Lease may be delivered by facsimile or email, and the parties hereto agree to accept and be bound by facsimile signatures or scanned signatures transmitted via email hereto, which signatures shall be considered as original signatures with the transmitted Lease having the same binding effect as an original signature on an original Lease.  At the request of either party, any facsimile document or scanned document transmitted via email is to be re-executed in original form by the party who executed the original facsimile document or scanned document.  Neither party may raise the use of a facsimile machine or scanned document or the fact that any signature was transmitted through the use of a facsimile machine or email as a defense to the enforcement of this Lease.

38.           Limitation of Liability of Trustees, Shareholders, and Officers of Landlord .  Any obligation or liability whatsoever of Landlord which may arise at any time under this Lease or any obligation or liability which may be incurred by it pursuant to any other instrument, transaction, or undertaking contemplated hereby shall not be personally binding upon, nor shall resort for the enforcement thereof be had to the property of, its trustees, directors, shareholders, officers, employees or agents, regardless of whether such obligation or liability is in the nature of contract, tort, or otherwise.

39.           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  TENANT AND LANDLORD WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OR TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, BETWEEN LANDLORD AND TENANT ARISING OUT OF THIS LEASE OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT, OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed this Lease as of the day and year first above written.
 
TENANT:
LANDLORD:
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
PROLOGIS, L.P.
a Delaware corporation
a Delaware limited partnership
 
By:  Prologis, Inc., a Maryland corporation, its General Partner

By:
/s/ Lawrence P. Reinhold
By:
/s/ Fritz Wyler
Name:
Lawrence P. Reinhold
 
Name:
Fritz Wyler
Title:
Vice President
 
Title:
SVP
 
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ADDENDUM 1

BASE RENT ADJUSTMENTS

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
 
Base Rent shall equal the following amounts for the respective periods set forth below:

Period
Monthly Base Rent
 
Month 1
through
Month 3
$0.00*
Month 4
through
Month 15
$165,952.57
Month 16
through
Month 27
$169,271.63
Month 28
through
Month 39
$172,657.06
Month 40
through
Month 51
$176,110.20
Month 52
through
Month 63
$179,632.40
Month 64
through
Month 75
$183,225.05
Month 76
through
Month 87
$186,889.55
Month 88
through
Month 99
$190,627,34
Month 100
through
Month 111
$194,439.89
Month 112
through
Month 123
$198,328,69

*During any free Base Rent periods, Tenant shall be responsible for Operating Expenses and utilities as set forth in the Lease.
 
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ADDENDUM 2

HVAC MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
 
Paragraph 11, captioned "TENANT REPAIRS," is revised to include the following:
 
                           Tenant agrees to enter into and maintain through the term of the Lease, a regularly scheduled preventative maintenance/service contract for servicing all hot water, heating and air conditioning systems and equipment within the Premises.  Landlord requires a qualified HVAC contractor perform this work. A certificate must be provided to the Landlord upon occupancy of the leased Premises.

               The service contract must become effective within thirty (30) days of occupancy, and service visits shall be performed on a quarterly basis.  Landlord suggests that Tenant send the following list to a qualified HVAC contractor to be assured that these items are included in the maintenance contract:

 HVAC MAINTENANCE
1.        Adjust belt tension;
2.        Lubricate all moving parts, as necessary;
3.        Inspect and adjust all temperature and safety controls;
4.        Check refrigeration system for leaks and operation;
5.        Check refrigeration system for moisture;
6.        Inspect compressor oil level and crank case heaters;
7.        Check head pressure, suction pressure and oil pressure;
8.        Inspect air filters and replace when necessary;
9.        Check space conditions;
10.     Check condensate drains and drain pans and clean, if necessary;
11.     Inspect and adjust all valves;
12.     Check and adjust dampers;
13.     Run machine through complete cycle.

EVAPORATIVE COOLER MAINTENANCE
1.       Adjust belt tension;
2.       Lubricate all moving parts, as necessary;
3.       Service floats and pumps;
4.       Service water distribution system;
5.       Check condition of pads-replace semi-annually;
6.       Clean pans, coat bottoms as necessary;
7.       Check electrical connections and motors;
8.       Run coolers to test equipment;
9.       Service system to prevent water from draining or leaking on roof;
10.     November-winterize the system and turn water off;
11.     April-Spring start up and turn water on.

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ADDENDUM 3

MOVE-OUT CONDITIONS

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.

With respect to Paragraph 21 of the Lease, Tenant shall surrender the Premises in the same condition as received, ordinary wear and tear, casualty loss, and condemnation covered by Paragraphs 15 and 16 excepted.

Before surrendering the Premises, Tenant shall remove all of its personal property and trade fixtures and such alterations or additions to the Premises made by Tenant as may be specified for removal thereof.  If Tenant fails to remove its personal property and fixtures upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, the same shall be deemed abandoned and shall become the property of the Landlord.  The following list is designed to assist Tenant in the move-out procedures but is not intended to be all inclusive:
 
1.
Lights:
Office, warehouse, emergency and exit lights will be fully operational with all bulbs and ballasts functioning.
   
2.
Dock Levelers, Service Doors
 
and Roll Up Doors:
All truck doors, service doors, roll up doors and dock levelers shall be serviced and placed in good operating order.  This would include the necessary replacement of any dented truck door panels and adjustment of door tension to insure property operation.  All door panels which are replaced need to be painted to match the building standard.
   
3.
Dock Seals/Dock Bumpers:
Free of tears and broken backboards repaired.  All dock bumpers must be left in place and well secured.
     
4.
Structural Columns
All structural steel columns in the warehouse and office shall be inspected for damage. Repairs of this nature should be pre-approved by Landlord prior to implementation.
     
5.
Warehouse Floor:
Free of stains and swept with no racking bolts and other protrusions left in floor.  Cracks should be repaired with an epoxy or polymer to match concrete color. Landlord h ereby acknowledges that some immaterial cracks may occur that do not necessarily indicate a structural failure of the floor slab. All floor striping in the Premises shall be removed with no residual staining or other indication that such striping existed.
     
6.
Tenant-Installed
 
 
Equipment and Wiring:
Removed and space turned to original condition when originally leased.  (Remove air lines, junction boxes, conduit, etc.)
     
7.
Walls:
Sheetrock (drywall) damage should be patched and fire-taped so that there are no holes in either office or warehouse.
     
8.
Carpet and Tile
The carpet and vinyl tiles should be in a clean condition and should not have any holes or chips in them.  Landlord will accept normal wear on these items provided they appear to be in a maintained condition.
     
9.
Roof:
Any Tenant-installed equipment must be removed and roof penetrations properly repaired by licensed roofing contractor.  Active leaks must be fixed and latest Landlord maintenance and repairs recommendation must have been followed.  Tenant must check with Landlord's property manager to determine if specific roofing contractor is required to perform work.
     
10.
Signs:
All exterior signs must be removed and holes patched and paint touched-up as necessary.  All window signs should likewise be removed.
 
11.
Heating and Air
 
 
Conditioning System:
Heating/air conditioning systems should be placed in good working order, including the necessary replacement of any parts to return the unit to a well maintained condition.  This includes warehouse heaters and exhaust fans.  Upon move out, Landlord will have an exit inspection performed by a certified mechanical contractor to determine the condition.
     
12.
Electrical & Plumbing:
All electrical and plumbing equipment to be returned in good condition and repair and conforming to code.
     
14.
Overall Cleanliness:
Clean windows, sanitize bathroom(s), vacuum carpet, and remove any and all debris from office and warehouse.  Remove all pallets and debris from exterior of Premises.  All trade fixtures, dumpsters, racking, trash, vending machines and other personal property to be removed.
     
15.
Upon Completion:
Contact Landlord's property manager to coordinate turning in of keys, utility changeover and obtaining of final Landlord inspection of Premises.
 
- 18 -

ADDENDUM 4

CONSTRUCTION
(TURNKEY)

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
            DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
 
                           (a)              Landlord agrees to furnish or perform at Landlord's sole cost and expense those items of construction and those improvements specified below:

· Landlord’s Tenant Improvement Work outlined in those certain construction plans and drawings prepared by HPA Architectures as outlined on Exhibit D attached hereto and in reference incorporated herein; and
· Shell Building Specifications as outlined on Exhibit D attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein.

All of the foregoing improvements, except for the warehouse lights, the dock equipment fit out, the evaporative system and related electrical and water, and the warehouse heaters, are referred to in this Lease as the " Base Building Improvements ." The warehouse lights, the dock equipment fit out, the evaporative system and related electrical and water, and the warehouse heaters are referred to in this Lease as the “ Final Scope .” The Base Building Improvements and the Final Scope are sometimes referred to collectively as the “ Initial Improvements .”
 
                           (b)              If Tenant shall desire any changes, Tenant shall so advise Landlord in writing and Landlord shall determine whether such changes can be made in a reasonable and feasible manner.  Any and all costs of reviewing any requested changes, and any and all costs of making any changes to the Initial Improvements which Tenant may request and which Landlord may agree to shall be at Tenant's sole cost and expense and shall be paid to Landlord upon demand and before execution of the change order. Landlord and Tenant mutually agree to act in good faith, reasonably, and expeditiously when proposing and reviewing change order requests. Any Tenant change orders must be approved in writing by Alan Schaeffer or such other person identified in writing by Alan Schaeffer (or an authorized officer of Tenant).

                           (c)              Landlord shall proceed with and complete the construction of the Initial Improvements.  As soon as such Base Building Improvements and the Final Scope, as applicable, have been Substantially Completed, Landlord shall notify Tenant in writing of the date that the Base Building Improvements and the Final Scope, respectively, were Substantially Completed.  The Base Building Improvements and the Final Scope, as applicable, shall be deemed substantially completed (" Substantially Completed ") when, all elements of the Base Building Improvements and the Final Scope, as applicable, are in substantial compliance with the scope of work, as evidenced by an architect’s certificate of substantial completion, and the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, temporary or otherwise, or a permit inspection card or other documentation from the governing municipality indicating that Landlord's Initial Improvement work has been inspected and approved.  Tenant's occupancy for the conduct of its normal business operations shall also cause the Initial Improvements to be deemed Substantially Completed. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that obtaining any necessary governmental approvals for Tenant’s racking, Trade Fixtures and Tenant-Made Alterations are Tenant’s responsibility at its sole cost, shall not be a condition for Substantial Completion, and Landlord has no obligation to obtain a certificate of occupancy, temporary or otherwise, or a permit inspection card or other documentation for such Tenant work.  In the event Tenant, its employees, agents, or contractors cause construction of such improvements to be delayed, the date of Substantial Completion shall be deemed to be the date that, in the opinion of the project architect exercising reasonable judgment, Substantial Completion would have occurred if such delays had not taken place. All components of the Base Building Improvements are targeted to be Substantially Completed by April 1, 2015, as such date may be extended due to Force Majeure and Tenant caused delays (the “Initial Delivery Date”). Following the Initial Delivery Date, Tenant shall have Early Access (as defined and in compliance with Paragraph 2 of the Lease) to the Premises on or before April 1, 2015, as such date may be extended due to Force Majeure and Tenant caused delays. The Final Scope shall be Substantially Completed by May 28, 2015, as such date may be extended due to Force Majeure and Tenant caused delays (the “Final Delivery Date”). Without limiting the foregoing, Tenant shall be solely responsible for delays caused by Tenant's request for any changes in the plans, Tenant’s Additional Improvements, Tenant's request for long lead items or Tenant's interference with the construction of the Base Building Improvements, and such delays shall not cause a deferral of the Commencement Date beyond what it otherwise would have been.

                          Subject to any delay to the extent caused by Tenant and/or Force Majeure, if the Initial Improvements are not Substantially Completed and/or the Landlord does not deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant within ten (10) days following the Final Delivery Date (the “Final Penalty Date”), Tenant shall receive one (1) day of free Base Rent for each day after the Final Penalty Date, until the Initial Improvements are Substantially Completed. After the date the Initial Improvements are Substantially Complete Tenant shall, upon demand, (i) execute and deliver to Landlord a letter of acceptance of delivery of the Initial Improvements or (ii) provide Landlord with any deficiencies with delivery of the Initial Improvements, which Landlord shall promptly correct.

- 19 -

                            (d)          The failure of Tenant to take possession of or to occupy the Premises shall not serve to relieve Tenant of obligations arising on the Commencement Date or delay the payment of rent by Tenant.  Subject to applicable ordinances and building codes governing Tenant's right to occupy or perform in the Premises, Tenant shall be allowed to install its tenant improvements, machinery, equipment, fixtures, or other property on the Premises during the final stages of completion of construction provided that Tenant does not thereby materially interfere with the completion of construction or cause any labor dispute as a result of such installations, and provided further that Tenant does hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold Landlord harmless from any loss or damage to such property, and all liability, loss, or damage arising from any injury to the Project or the property of Landlord, its contractors, subcontractors, or materialmen, and any death or personal injury to any person or persons arising out of Tenant’s or its employees’, agents’, contractors’ or subcontractors’ performance of such installations, unless any such loss, damage, liability, death, or personal injury was caused by Landlord's negligence.  Any such occupancy or performance in the Premises shall be in accordance with the provisions governing Tenant‑Made Alterations and Trade Fixtures in the Lease, and shall be subject to Tenant providing to Landlord satisfactory evidence of insurance for personal injury and property damage related to such installations and satisfactory payment arrangements with respect to installations permitted hereunder.  Delay in putting Tenant in possession of the Premises shall not serve to extend the term of this Lease or to make Landlord liable for any damages arising therefrom.

- 20 -

ADDENDUM 5

TWO RENEWAL OPTIONS
(BASEBALL ARBITRATION)

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.

(a)           Provided that as of the time of the giving of the First Extension Notice and the Commencement Date of the First Extension Term, (x) Tenant is the Tenant originally named herein, (y) Tenant actually occupies all of the Premises initially demised under this Lease and any space added to the Premises, and (z) no Event of Default exists or would exist but for the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both; then Tenant shall have the right to extend the Lease Term for an additional term of 5 years (such additional term is hereinafter called the " First Extension Term ") commencing on the day following the expiration of the Lease Term (hereinafter referred to as the " Commencement Date of the First Extension Term ").  Tenant shall give Landlord notice (hereinafter called the " First Extension Notice ") of its election to extend the term of the Lease Term at least 9 months, but not more than 12 months, prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Lease Term.

(b)           Provided that as of the time of the giving of the Second Extension Notice and the Commencement Date of the Second Extension Term, (x) Tenant is the Tenant originally named herein, (y) Tenant actually occupies all of the Premises initially demised under this Lease and any space added to the Premises, and (z) no Event of Default exists or would exist but for the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both and provided Tenant has exercised its option for the First Extension Term; then Tenant shall have the right to extend the Lease Term for an additional term of 5 years (such additional term is hereinafter called the " Second Extension Term ") commencing on the day following the expiration of the First Extension Term (hereinafter referred to as the " Commencement Date of the Second Extension Term ").  Tenant shall give Landlord notice (hereinafter called the " Second Extension Notice ") of its election to extend the term of the Lease Term at least 9 months, but not more than 12 months, prior to the scheduled expiration date of the First Extension Term.

(c)           The Base Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord during the First Extension Term shall be the greater of:
 
                           (i) The Base Rent applicable to the last year of the initial Lease term, and
 
                           (ii) The then Fair Market Rent as defined below.

(d)           The Base Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord during the Second Extension Term shall be the greater of:
 
                           (i) The Base Rent applicable to the last year of the First Extension Term, and

                           (ii) The then Fair Market Rent as defined below.

(e)           The term "Fair Market Rent" shall mean the Base Rent, expressed as an annual rent per square foot of floor area, which Landlord would have received from leasing the Premises for the First Extension Term, or Second Extension Term (whichever is applicable) to an unaffiliated person which is not then a tenant in the Project, assuming that such space were to be delivered in "as-is" condition, and taking into account the rental which such other tenant would most likely have paid for such premises, including market escalations, provided that Fair Market Rent shall not in any event be less than the Base Rent for the Premises as of the expiration of the Lease Term.  Fair Market Rent shall not be reduced by reason of any costs or expenses saved by Landlord by reason of Landlord's not having to find a new tenant for the Premises (including without limitation brokerage commissions, cost of improvements necessary to prepare the space for such tenant's occupancy, rent concession, or lost rental income during any vacancy period).  Fair Market Rent means only the rent component defined as Base Rent in the Lease and does not include reimbursements and payments by Tenant to Landlord with respect to Operating Expenses and other items payable or reimbursable by Tenant under the Lease.  In addition to its obligation to pay Base Rent (as determined herein), Tenant shall continue to pay and reimburse Landlord as set forth in the Lease with respect to such Operating Expenses and other items with respect to the Premises during the First Extension Term or Second Extension Term (whichever is applicable).  The arbitration process described below shall be limited to the determination of the Base Rent and shall not affect or otherwise reduce or modify the Tenant's obligation to pay or reimburse Landlord for such Operating Expenses and other reimbursable items.

(f)              Landlord shall notify Tenant of its determination of the Fair Market Rent (which shall be made in Landlord's sole discretion and shall in any event be not less than the Base Rent in effect as of the expiration of the Lease Term) for the First Extension Term or Second Extension Term (whichever is applicable), and Tenant shall advise Landlord of any objection within 10 days of receipt of Landlord's notice.  Failure to respond within the 10-day period shall constitute Tenant's acceptance of such Fair Market Rent.  If Tenant objects, Landlord and Tenant shall commence negotiations to attempt to agree upon the Fair Market Rent within 30 days of Landlord's receipt of Tenant's notice.  If the parties cannot agree, each acting in good faith but without any obligation to agree, then the Lease Term shall not be extended and shall terminate on its scheduled termination date and Tenant shall have no further right hereunder or any remedy by reason of the parties' failure to agree unless Tenant or Landlord invokes the arbitration procedure provided below to determine the Fair Market Rent.

- 21 -

(g)           Arbitration to determine the Fair Market Rent shall be in accordance with the Real Estate Valuation Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Unless otherwise required by state law, arbitration shall be conducted in the metropolitan area where the Project is located by a single arbitrator unaffiliated with either party.  Either party may elect to arbitrate by sending written notice to the other party and the Regional Office of the American Arbitration Association within 5 days after the 30-day negotiating period provided in Paragraph (f), invoking the binding arbitration provisions of this paragraph.  Landlord and Tenant shall each submit to the arbitrator their respective proposal of Fair Market Rent.  The arbitrator must choose between the Landlord's proposal and the Tenant's proposal and may not compromise between the two or select some other amount.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Fair Market Rent determined by the arbitrator shall not be less than, and the arbitrator shall have no authority to determine a Fair Market Rent less than, the Base Rent in effect as of the scheduled expiration of the Lease Term.  The cost of the arbitration shall be paid by Tenant if the Fair Market Rent is that proposed by Landlord and by Landlord if the Fair Market Rent is that proposed by Tenant; and shall be borne equally otherwise.  If the arbitrator has not determined the Fair Market Rent as of the end of the Lease Term, Tenant shall pay 105 percent of the Base Rent in effect under the Lease as of the end of the Lease Term until the Fair Market Rent is determined as provided herein.  Upon such determination, Landlord and Tenant shall make the appropriate adjustments to the payments between them.

(h)           The parties consent to the jurisdiction of any appropriate court to enforce the arbitration provisions of this Addendum and to enter judgment upon the decision of the arbitrator.

(i)             The determination of Base Rent does not reduce the Tenant's obligation to pay or reimburse Landlord for Operating Expenses and other reimbursable items as set forth in the Lease, and Tenant shall reimburse and pay Landlord as set forth in the Lease with respect to such Operating Expenses and other items with respect to the Premises during the First Extension Term and Second Extension Term without regard to any cap on such expenses set forth in the Lease.

(j)             Except for the Base Rent as determined above, Tenant's occupancy of the Premises during the First Extension Term and the Second Extension Term shall be on the same terms and conditions as are in effect immediately prior to the expiration of the initial Lease Term or the First Extension Term; provided, however, Tenant shall have no further right to any allowances, credits or abatements or any options to expand, contract, renew or extend the Lease.

(k)           If Tenant does not give the First Extension Notice within the period set forth in paragraph (a) above, Tenant's right to extend the Lease Term for the First Extension Term and the Second Extension Term shall automatically terminate.  If Tenant does not give the Second Extension Notice within the period set forth in paragraph (b) above, Tenant's right to extend the Lease Term for the Second Extension Term shall automatically terminate.  Time is of the essence as to the giving of the First Extension Notice and Second Extension Notice.

(l)            Landlord shall have no obligation to refurbish or otherwise improve the Premises for the First Extension Term or the Second Extension Term.  The Premises shall be tendered on the Commencement Date of the First Extension Term and Second Extension Term in "as-is" condition.

(m)          If the Lease is extended for either the First Extension Term or Second Extension Term, then Landlord shall prepare and Tenant shall execute an amendment to the Lease confirming the extension of the Lease Term and the other provisions applicable thereto (the "Amendment").

(n)          If Tenant exercises its right to extend the term of the Lease for the First Extension Term  or Second Extension Term pursuant to this Addendum, the term  "Lease Term" as used in the Lease, shall be construed to include, when practicable, the First Extension Term or Second Extension Term, as applicable, except as provided in (j) above.
 
- 22 -

EXHIBIT A

SITE PLAN

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
- 23 -

EXHIBIT B

PROJECT RULES AND REGULATIONS

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.

Rules and Regulations

1. The sidewalk, entries, and driveways of the Project shall not be obstructed by Tenant, or its agents, or used by them for any purpose other than ingress and egress to and from the Premises.

2. Tenant shall not place any objects, including antennas, outdoor furniture, etc., in the parking areas, landscaped areas or other areas outside of its Premises, or on the roof of the Project.

3. Except for seeing-eye dogs, no animals shall be allowed in the offices, halls, or corridors in the Project.

4. Tenant shall not disturb the occupants of the Project or adjoining buildings by the use of any radio or musical instrument or by the making of loud or improper noises.

5. If Tenant desires telegraphic, telephonic or other electric connections in the Premises, Landlord or its agent will direct the electrician as to where and how the wires may be introduced; and, without such direction, no boring or cutting of wires will be permitted.  Any such installation or connection shall be made at Tenant's expense.

6. Tenant shall not install or operate any steam or gas engine or boiler, or other mechanical apparatus in the Premises, except as specifically approved in the Lease.  The use of oil, gas or inflammable liquids for heating, lighting or any other purpose is expressly prohibited.  Explosives or other articles deemed extra hazardous shall not be brought into the Project.

7. Parking any type of recreational vehicles is specifically prohibited on or about the Project.  Further, parking any type of trucks, trailers or other vehicles in the Building is specifically prohibited.  In the event that a vehicle is disabled, it shall be removed within 48 hours.  There shall be no "For Sale" or other advertising signs on or about any parked vehicle.  All vehicles shall be parked in the designated parking areas in conformity with all signs and other markings.  All parking will be open parking, and no reserved parking, numbering or lettering of individual spaces will be permitted except as specified by Landlord or in the Lease.

8. Tenant shall maintain the Premises free from rodents, insects and other pests.

9. Landlord reserves the right to exclude or expel from the Project any person who, in the judgment of Landlord, is intoxicated or under the influence of liquor or drugs or who shall in any manner do any act in violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Project.

10. Tenant shall not cause any unnecessary labor by reason of Tenant's carelessness or indifference in the preservation of good order and cleanliness.  Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for any loss of property on the Premises, however occurring, or for any damage done to the effects of Tenant by the janitors or any other employee or person.

11. Tenant shall give Landlord prompt notice of any defects in the water, lawn sprinkler, sewage, gas pipes, electrical lights and fixtures, heating apparatus, or any other service equipment affecting the Premises.

12. Tenant shall not permit storage outside the Premises, or dumping of waste or refuse or permit any harmful materials to be placed in any drainage system or sanitary system in or about the Premises.

13. All moveable trash receptacles provided by the trash disposal firm for the Premises must be kept in the trash enclosure areas, if any, provided for that purpose.

14. No auction, public or private, will be permitted on the Premises or the Project.

15. No awnings shall be placed over the windows in the Premises except with the prior written consent of Landlord.

16. The Premises shall not be used for lodging, sleeping or cooking or for any immoral or illegal purposes or for any purpose other than that specified in the Lease.  No gaming devices shall be operated in the Premises.

17. Tenant shall ascertain from Landlord the maximum amount of electrical current which can safely be used in the Premises, taking into account the capacity of the electrical wiring in the Project and the Premises and the needs of other tenants, and shall not use more than such safe capacity.  Landlord's consent to the installation of electric equipment shall not relieve Tenant from the obligation not to use more electricity than such safe capacity.

18. Tenant assumes full responsibility for protecting the Premises from theft, robbery and pilferage.

19. Tenant shall not install or operate on the Premises any machinery or mechanical devices of a nature not directly related to Tenant's ordinary use of the Premises and shall keep all such machinery free of vibration, noise and air waves which may be transmitted beyond the Premises.

20. Tenant shall not permit smoking in the office areas of the Premises.

- 24 -

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF COMMENCEMENT DATE CERTIFICATE

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.


COMMENCEMENT DATE CERTIFICATE

____________, 201__

Global Industrial Distribution Inc.

RE:              Lease dated _________ between Global Industrial Distribution Inc. and Prologis, L.P. for 3700 Bay Lake Trail, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030

Dear ____________:

Welcome to your new facility.   We would like to confirm the terms of the above referenced lease agreement:

Lease Commencement Date:
   
Lease Expiration Date:
   
Rental Commencement Date:
   

We are pleased to welcome you as a customer of Prologis and look forward to working with you. Please indicate your agreement with the above changes to your lease by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this letter to me.  If I can be of service, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
 
Accepted by:
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
Date:
       
 
By:
   
       
 
Printed:
 
       
 
Title:
   
 

- 25 -

EXHIBIT D

INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.

Base Building Improvements
3700 Bay Lake Trail, North Las Vegas, NV (Las Vegas Corporate Center #19 “LVCC#19”)

· 464,203 SF cross dock building (408’ deep)
· 112 dock doors (9’X10’) to be installed. Tenant requires 56 Truck Door Packages to be on eastern (receiving) side of building and 33 Truck Door Packages on western side per Scheme 21
· 2 of the dock door positions to be provided on western side for trash compactor
· 4 grade level doors (12’X14’)
· Approximately 316 car parking stalls are able to be striped. 60 trailer parking positions.
o Note – Subject to City approval, Car parking count shall be reduced to add additional truck stalls around northern perimeter of building in general conformance with Scheme 22.
· Reinforced concrete tilt-up construction
· Concrete truck courts and concrete car parking stalls
· 36’ clear height beginning 6” after first row of columns
· 56’X60’ typical column spacing
· 8” thick concrete floor slab, 4,500 psi, welded wire mats at floor joints, FF35/FL25 floor flatness,  vapor barrier at office area, lapidolith floor sealer or equal
· Panelized wood hybrid roof deck, 4 ply built-up roof system with screwed metal fastening at building corners and perimeter of roof as recommended by FM Global; 10 year roof warranty
· R-19 batt roof insulation with white scrim sheet
· Warehouse interior walls painted white-one coat
· 2% skylights and smoke hatches with 360 degree fusible links per FM Global recommendation
· ESFR sprinkler system with K-25 heads, 2,500 gpm fire pump; seismic branch line bracing and seismic gas shut-off per FM Global recommendation
· 2,000 amp panel,  277/480v.; expandable to 4,000 amps

Land Lord Work Letter - Required Tenant Improvement Specifications:

The following is intended to be requirements above and beyond builder / developer standard specifications and details.

Codes:
All work shall be designed in accordance with The National Electric Code (2012 NEC) and Construction as defined by 2012 IBC code. All work shall be completed within the requirements of all local, state national codes or agencies having governing jurisdiction, and will be completed in a manner satisfactory to the appropriate building department(s) including but not limited to the current application of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
Drawings & Specs:
Complete working drawings and specifications shall be furnished to Global for approval prior to the start of construction. All design fees shall be the responsibility of the builder/developer/Landlord. “As Built” drawings shall be provided for architectural structural, civil, electrical, plumbing, mechanical H.V.A.C., fire protection and landscaping shall be completed and full sets given to Global.
 
Clear Height:
36’ minimum clear height as measured 6” inside the first interior column line.
 
Exterior Walls:
Concrete tilt up construction.
 
Exterior Shell Finish:
Painted concrete panels with architectural reveals.  Walls at office to have a minimum 9’ floor to ceiling store front glass (50 LF minimum). All glass to be high strength for sufficient weather protection.
 
Interior Shell Finish:
All interior warehouse walls (concrete, steel and drywall) painted white from floor to roof deck.
 
Truck Court:
Sixty feet (60) in front of every dock (and drive in) door to have an 8” reinforced concrete apron. Truck court shall be 135’-185’ truck court depth as per previously attached site plan Scheme 21.
 
 
- 26 -

Security Fencing:
Receiving truck (56 docks) court(s) to be fenced in (6’ high) with two automatic electronic sliding gates (Entrance/Exit). Prepare gate area for tenant supplied modular guard booth (~4’x6’) with electric (2-20 amp circuits), telephone, CCTV capabilities (conduits from guard booth location to building), and dual head pole mounted light. Eight (8) inch concrete filled pipe bollards (60” high) shall be supplied to protect both gates and four corners of guard booth (8 minimum). Gates also to be controlled from warehouse receiving office. Provide two sets of gates if truck courts need to be separated. Car parking will not be permitted within the truck court(s).
 
Warehouse Floor:
Warehouse slab shall be a minimum of 8” 4500 psi with vapor barrier supplied only under office areas at 4 corners of the Building. Warehouse slab shall be designed to handle a maximum load of 18,000 lbs (36’clear) per rack frame (each frame has two foot plates, 42” c-c, 6” X 6” X 3/8” footplate). The slab shall be sealed with two (2) coats of Lapidolith surface hardener or approved equal. Warehouse slab shall be finished to a FF35/FL25 specification (minimum).
 
Roof:
Premises B: 4-ply built up roof system included with R-19 white scrim sheet included in place of roof deck being painted white.
 
Truck Door Packages:
Provide truck/trailer dock locks for all dock doors, Kelley Truck Stop (Star 2 or Global approved equal). Docks to be 48” above grade, complete with manual 9’ x 10’ overhead door (30,000 lbs. capacity hydraulic levelers with electric activations and full range toe guards (Kelly aFX or Global approved equal), dock lights (LED lamps), protective bollards (or track guards) and dock bumpers (24” high).
Truck dock door seals (side pads with header curtain) shall be provided at 30 docks (chosen by Global).
Two additional O.H. doors setup for trash compactors.
 
Drive In Door:
Four (4) drive-in doors (two per cross-dock side) complete with motorized 12’ x 14’ overhead door & protective bollards shall be provided.
 
Overhead Doors:
Flush sectional insulated steel overhead doors with 24 gauge (minimum), hot dipped galvanized steel face panel (baked enamel finish coat). Panel thickness shall be a nominal 2”. Doors to have reinforcing ribs on each panel with reinforcing angle at bottom of door. Tracks shall be 3” minimum with full bearing angle connecting track to jamb. Provide interior lift handles and lock bar.
 
FIRE PROTECTION
 
 
Warehouse:
 
Provide a complete ESFR fire protection system (per NFPA 2013 code) that will meet or exceed all factory mutual specifications for similar items currently stored (classified by FM Global as “unexpanded plastic non-carton”) in Global Equipment Company’s warehouse facility in Buford, GA. FM Global to approve fire protection system with all related cost to meet requirements to be at builder/ landlord expense (including but not limited to a fire pump and upgraded sprinkler heads). FM Global specs have been included per FM’s recommendation which including:
(a)      360 fusable links on smoke hatches,
(b)      upgrade to K-25 heads,
(c)      2,500 gpm fire pump,
(d)      seismic branch line bracing
(e)      seismic gas shut-off,
(f)      screwed metal fastening at building corners and perimeter of roof,
(g)      upgrading of underground water line to 10”
(h)      Fire System is being built on a design-build basis with information provided to FM Global
 
All FM Global specifications and requirements pre-approved by FM Global in its 10/29/14 and the still pending 11/17/14 correspondence to Landlord which will be the responsibility of the Landlord to conform with at its expense. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, while Landlord is designing and constructing the Initial Improvements to meet FM Global’s standards as detailed in the above referenced letters, Tenant acknowledges and agrees that the Building is not meant to be a fully FM Global compliant building.
Extinguishers and hose stations included as required by code (based on Global rack layout 10/8/14 drawing).
 
Office Areas:
Semi-recessed chrome sprinkler head to provide 100% coverage of office space. In wall mounted extinguishers as required.
 
Include a FM200 fire suppression system for I.T. room (10’x18’x9’ high).
 
Fire Alarm:
Included if required by local, state or county code or any other agency having jurisdiction.
 
 
- 27 -

ELECTRICAL

2000 amp, 480 volt/ 3 phase, four wire electrical service shall be provided for building lighting, power, and mechanical equipment. All warehouse and office lighting will be 277v. All equipment and panels (Square D brand or equivalent.  Note – Landlord will be utilizing Siemens brand) shall be sized in accordance to NEC requirements. Electric switch gear(s) to be designed with a minimum of 8 “future” 3 phase breaker spaces. Electric Service(s) to be wired and permitted for generators and transfer switches sized for a 500KW diesel (600 amps/480v) generator for office operation (150 amps/480v) and warehouse (450 amps/480v). Generator to include 48 hour run tank and network maintenance connectivity (by builder/landlord GC). Above generator to support ALL building operations (Lighting, office, fire pump, fire alarm, conveyor, etc.) for a minimum of ¾ of the entire building going south to north.
 
Warehouse Electrical Distribution:
In addition to warehouse lighting panels (480/277 volt) and low voltage distribution panels (208/120 volt for dock levelers, general use convenience outlets, quad outlets between docks for dock lights, etc.) the following panels shall be provided exclusively for Global’s warehouse operation use (no lighting or HVAC units):
·      Two (2) - 200 amp 480/277 volt/ 3 phase panel with 200 amp-208/120 volt/ 3 phase sub panel (42 circuit) shall be provided in separate locations anywhere in the building as indicated by Global.
These panels will be provided for Global’s use.
·      One (1) - 400 amp 480/277 volt / 3 phase panel with 200 amp sub panel 208/120 volt/ 3 phase (84 circuit each) shall be provided by the warehouse office. HVAC and lighting for warehouse office may be powered from this panel.
·      All additional panels provided by electrical contractor to include a minimum of 30% “spare” capacity.
 
Electrical contractor will include the following distribution from above panels (labor and materials):
·      30 - Convenience quad outlets 120volt/ 20amp dedicated and located in the warehouse by Global.
·      100 amp/480V/3 PH fused disconnect for a tenant provided conveyor panel (located in 60’ from dock of building x 200 ft from shipping office).
·      1 - 30 amp/480V/3 PH fused disconnect for a tenant provided air compressors (located in 60’ from dock of building x 100 ft from building side wall).
·      20 – Global supplied fork lift battery chargers (480 volt). These chargers to be mounted on Global supplied and installed racks (fed from 400 amp panel listed above).
·      2 - Electric power hook up shall be provided (480 volt/3 phase) for tenant supplied trash compactors.
 
Note:              Each interior dock light shall be 120 volt and use a quad outlet for power located next to each dock door for maintenance use.
 
Warehouse Lighting:
 
High performance high bay 277 volt fluorescent fixtures with (T-5 lamps) and electronic instant start ballasts (program ready) with optically efficient reflectors and individual motion sensors (aisle occupancy). Fixtures wired with relock and controlled by contactors (switches by warehouse entrance) to provide 30 FC minimum @ 60” AFF. All fixtures to be mounted between roof joists to avoid contact with racking systems and pallet placement and retrieval (this applies to all areas throughout the warehouse (racked and staging). Fixtures to be @ 36’ A.F.F. for 36’ clear height building. One lighting contactor switch to turn on/off lighting shall be provided by warehouse office entrance.
·      Fixtures to be on a 18’8”centers (three rows per 56’bay) going the entire length of the building x the dimension required to obtain 30 FC (@60” AFF) in a 120” pallet rack aisle (for racked areas – see attached plan for pallet rack layout)
·      18’8” x the dimension required to obtain 30 FC (@60” AFF) in an open staging area (60 feet from docks X length of building X both sides).
If emergency lighting is required by code at each pallet rack aisle entry, builder/landlord/ GC shall include at no additional cost based on rack layout supplied by Global dated 10/8/14.
 
 
- 28 -
Shipping Office Electrical  Distribution:
 
·      20 - duplex wall outlets for general use
·      20 - Dedicated 20 amp duplex outlets (lunchroom vending machines, copiers, Gym Equipment, etc.).
 
I.T. Room Electrical:
 
An independently derived 100 amp 208/120 volt / 3 phase (42 circuit) panel to be located in the I.T. room. The use of this panel will be exclusively for Global’s  computer system and telephone system. A 100 amp / 1 phase / 208 volt fused disconnect shall be included for tenant supplied UPS and by pass switch located in the I.T. room (hook up included). In addition to general use duplex outlets located on 4 walls there shall be two dedicated 120 volt quad outlet mounted on a 4’x8’ fire treated sheet of painted plywood (location by Global). There shall be two (2) 4” conduits diversified from different street data carrier access points with pull string installed from building data entry point to this plywood as well as two (2) 4” conduits from this plywood to the open ceiling plenum outside of the I.T. room and two (2) 4” conduits from this plywood to warehouse (ceiling) for Global Equipment Company’s network wiring points terminating in the warehouse. A 6 gauge copper ground cable shall be installed from building ground to a ground lug located on the above plywood. Conduits for building fiber and other data/telephone connectivity to be provided from the suppliers’ street connection point to data room (IT room) within the warehouse shipping office.
 
WH Office Lighting:
Office lighting to be 2x2 LED (2x4 warehouse offices) (3500K) recessed lay in troffer basket style with white perforated diffuser supplied by Juno Lighting Group (S2X2BP-45-35-U-WH) or approved equal. Fixtures in conference rooms to be on dimmable switches. Break room controlled by PIR’s. Light fixtures grid shall start a maximum of 2’ from any wall. Office lighting shall have a 50 foot candle minimum throughout the office area. One lighting contactor switch to turn on/off lighting shall be provided by office entrance.
 

HVAC
WH Office HVAC:
Builder/Developer will furnish and install roof top HVAC units with a standard system of distribution ducts. Supply registers and diffuses, return grills and associated fixtures servicing the warehouse shipping office area (4800 sq. ft.) and receiving office area (637 sq. ft.). The design criteria shall be as to handle the heat load of the conditions of the building and 1 person per 60 sq. ft. All units shall be designed with a (7) day programmable stat. Two separate 3 ton A/C cool only split ductless units (Mitsubishi or approved equal) shall be provided for the I.T. room, supplied with a low ambient control module with auto restart.
 
Warehouse Heat:
Reznor gas (natural) fired unit heaters provided throughout the warehouse to maintain building at 60 degrees (F) minimum @ 60” A.F.F.  These units shall not be located in pallet racking areas as per plan dated 10/8/14.
 
Warehouse Ventilation:
Warehouse roof top evaporative coolers to provide three (3) air rotations per hour (minimum) controlled by 7 day (24 hr.) timers.
 
Warehouse Cooling:
One (1) evaporative cooling unit (swamp cooler) shall be provided for every 10,000 S.F. of warehouse space or as recommended by the design/build mechanical contractor.
 
Warehouse Forklift Charging Ventilation:
If required by code, an exhaust system shall be provided over the forklift battery charging area for a minimum of 20 pieces of equipment (spaced ~5’ on center) located by the warehouse office.
 
- 29 -

 WH /OFFICE FINISHES
 
Warehouse Office:
4,800 SF @ 9’0” ceiling height including lunchroom and restroom to support forty (40) employees at a time. Balance of space to be general offices and meeting rooms as
 
Shipping Office:
637 SF including two (2) small restrooms (middle of shipping docks).
 
Ceilings:
Ceilings shall be 9’0” A.F.F. All acoustical ceilings in 5400 SF WH (and remote shipping office) shall use standard commercial grade grid and ceiling tiles. All ceilings shall be insulated with a minimum of R-19 fiber glass batting for sound and thermal protection. ALL facility bathroom ceilings shall be painted drywall.
 
Floor Coverings:
Gym plus 5 offices to have carpet tile (@$30/ S.Y.) and vinyl base, all other warehouse rooms shall be VCT with 4” vinyl base. Restrooms to have ceramic tile floors.
 
Wall Finishes:
Remote receiving (647 S.F.) WH office areas to be painted concrete block perimeter walls to 10’0” nominal height) and drywall (interior walls) with two (2) coats of latex paint with semi-gloss or egg finish.
Shipping office (4800 S.F.) shall have a full height (slab to roof) drywall (5/8” drywall full height on warehouse side) demising wall (painted white) and insulated slab to roof for dust and noise protection. All interior walls to be drywall with two (2) coats of latex paint with semi-gloss or egg finish.
All private offices, conference walls to extend 6” above acoustical ceilings. All private offices and bath rooms to be insulated for sound retention.
 
Interior Doors and
Windows:
All office doors shall be 7’0” high solid core with birch veneer finished with stain and clear satin polyurethane (factory finish). All frames to be painted metal. Private offices shall have full height (7’) side lites (nominal 16” wide) built into metal door jambs. All door hardware shall be stainless steel. Locksets shall be ADA approved stainless steel lever type as manufactured by Sargent (series 10) or approved equal with IC cores. All private offices shall have keyed lock entry. Master keying shall be included for all building locks and keying schedule approved by Global. All interior exit and entrance doors, opening into common areas shall include 5” X 20” glass windows mounted in door and include commercial grade door closers. All warehouse egress doors will be provided with “delay exit” panic hardware with alarm if permitted by code. All exterior office windows and interior sales office door side lites to include Levelor blinds or approved equal.
Per Scheme 21 and Global plan dated 10/8/14
 
 
WASHROOMS Warehouse Offices:
All fixtures shall be American Standard or equal. Fixture count for men’s rooms is 3T, 3U, 3S plus 2 showers (including H.C.). Fixture count for women’s rooms is 5T, 3S plus 2 showers (including H.C.).   Three (3) receiving area bath room shall be located docks as per Global’s plan dated 10/8/14. (Two (2) Men’s room to have 1T,1U,1S; Women’s room to have 1T,1S). One (1) electric water cooler shall be provided on common restroom wall for each men/women combo and one for warehouse office lunchroom (2 total).  All interior walls to be drywall floor to ceiling grid. Washroom plumbing “wet” walls and floors shall be commercial grade ceramic tile with floor drains. A janitors closet (2 total) shall be provided with slop sink and floor drain. Washrooms partitions shall be floor mounted. Provide three (3) hose bibs (cold water) at shipping and receiving docks and battery charging station (outside of warehouse office). Break rooms (2) to include 12’ “solid surface” counter (base and wall cabinets), sink and cold water provisions for ice maker, coffee machine and refrigerator (equipment by Global).
 
Utilities:
All utilities (electric, gas & water/sewer) shall be delivered to the premises and separately metered as necessary.  Tenant shall be responsible for supplier phone/data connectivity contracts. (See I.T. Room Electrical subheading)  Landlord shall provide required conduits and path to Global’s I.T. room as shown on plan dated 10/8/14.
 
Gas Service:
Natural gas supplied to all HVAC units.
 
- 30 -

Electric Service:
 
Nevada Energy & Power is provider with electric main service on south side of Building.
 
Exterior Lighting:
 
Wall packs, pole lights and building soffit lights included and to provide a minimum of 2 FC @ office entry and a minimum of 1 FC @ all paved areas and building exits. These lights to be LED technology. Electrical provisions shall be included for building mounted signage (2) and monument sign (provided by builder/landlord) with exterior lighting. Building mounted signage by tenant with electric hookup by builder / developer.
 
Paving:
Full concrete aprons, curbs, gutters as well as truck and auto areas is included.
   
Signage:
 
Tenant requests that Landlord, at its cost and expense, provide the following signage:
·      Building face sign ($15,000 allowance).
·      Dock Door decals (to be included within the $15,000 allowance).
Note: all signage is subject to the terms of the Prologis Lease Agreement and all applicable city, county and state regulations and codes.
   
Notes:
 
Tenant shall have the right to observe, review and audit all aspects of the construction process but shall not materially impact or delay the construction process. All final design and construction decisions shall be mutually agreed upon between Landlord and Tenant. Tenant shall be provided access for Early Access for racking and equipment setup, installation of its material handling equipment and IT cabling April 1, 2015.
 
(Note -  The only allowance provided is for $15,000 signage allowance which tenant will control for its signage needs)
 
- 31 -

EXHIBIT E

FORM OF LEASE GUARANTY

ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED DECEMBER 10, 2014 BETWEEN

Prologis, L.P.
and
Global Equipment Company, Inc.

LEASE GUARANTY

The undersigned (collectively the "Guarantor") hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally, guarantees the prompt, complete, and full and punctual payment , observance, and performance of all the terms, covenants, and conditions provided to be paid, kept, and performed by the tenant under that certain Lease Agreement (such lease, as amended, being herein referred to as the " Lease "), dated               , 2014, between Prologis, L.P., as Landlord (" Landlord "), and Global Industrial Distribution, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Tenant (" Tenant ") covering the premises located at 3700 Bay Lake Trail, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030, and all renewals, amendments, expansions, and modifications of the Lease.  This Guaranty shall include any liability of Tenant which shall accrue under the Lease for any period preceding as well as any period following the term of the Lease.

The obligation of the Guarantor is primary and independent of Tenant's obligations under the Lease and may be enforced directly against the Guarantor independently of and without proceeding against the Tenant or exhausting or pursuing any remedy against Tenant or any other person or entity.  Guarantor waives any requirement that Landlord mitigate damages under the Lease.

This instrument may not be changed, modified, discharged, or terminated orally or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing signed by Guarantor and the Landlord.

The obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall not be released or otherwise affected by reason of any sublease, assignment, or other transfer of the Tenant's interest under the Lease, whether or not Landlord consents to such sublease, assignment, or other transfer.

Any act of Landlord, or the successors or assigns of Landlord, consisting of a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of said Lease, or the giving of any consent to any manner or thing relating to said Lease, or the granting of any indulgences or extensions of time to Tenant, may be done without notice to Guarantor and without releasing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder.

The obligations of Guarantor hereunder shall not be released by Landlord's receipt, application, or release of security given for the performance and observance of covenants and conditions in said Lease contained on Tenant's part to be performed or observed nor by any modification of such Lease; but in case of any such modification the liability of Guarantor shall be deemed modified in accordance with the terms of any such modification of the Lease.

Guarantor waives any defense or right arising by reason of any disability or lack of authority or power of Tenant and shall remain liable hereunder if Tenant or any other party shall not be liable under the Lease for such reason.

Until all the covenants and conditions in said Lease on Tenant's part to be performed and observed are fully performed and observed, Guarantor (i) shall have no right of subrogation against Tenant by reason of any payments or acts of performance by the Guarantor, in compliance with the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder; (ii) waives any right to enforce any remedy which Guarantor now or hereafter shall have against Tenant by reason of any one or more payments or acts of performance in compliance with the obligations of Guarantor hereunder; and (iii) subordinates any liability or indebtedness of Tenant now or hereafter held by Guarantor to the obligations of Tenant to the Landlord under said Lease.

The liability of Guarantor hereunder shall not be released or otherwise affected by (i) the release or discharge of Tenant in any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other debtor relief proceeding involving Tenant (collectively "proceeding for relief"); (ii) the impairment, limitation, or modification of the liability of Tenant or the estate of the Tenant in any proceeding for relief, or of any remedy for the enforcement of Tenant's liability under the Lease, resulting from the operation of any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding or other law or from the decision in any court; (iii) the rejection or disaffirmance of the Lease in any proceeding for relief; or (iv) the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of Tenant.

The Guarantor agrees that upon an event of default under the Lease, the Landlord has the right and option, but is not required to, name the Guarantor in an unlawful detainer proceeding, and that doing so does not constitute an election of remedies against the Guarantor.

This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment by Tenant to Landlord under the Lease is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by Landlord upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other debtor relief proceeding involving Tenant, all as though such payment had not been made.

- 32 -

This Guaranty is executed and delivered for the benefit of Landlord and its successors and assigns, and is and shall be binding upon Guarantor and its successors and assigns, but Guarantor may not assign its obligations hereunder.

GUARANTOR AND LANDLORD WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, BETWEEN LANDLORD AND GUARANTOR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ANY TRANSACTION RELATED TO THIS GUARANTY.

Guarantor agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by Landlord in enforcing the terms of this Guaranty.

This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State which governs the Lease excluding any principles of conflicts of laws.  For the purpose solely of litigating any dispute under this Guaranty, the undersigned submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of said state.

If the Guarantor is more than one person or entity, the liability of each such Guarantor shall be joint and several.

WITNESS THE EXECUTION hereof this _____ day of ________, 2014.

 
GUARANTOR:
   
 
Global Industrial Holdings LLC,
 
A Delaware limited liability company
     
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 
 
- 33 -


Exhibit 10.35
 
EXECUTION VERSION
 
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
BY AND AMONG
 
TAKKT AMERICA HOLDING, INC.,
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC
 
AND
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL MEXICO HOLDINGS INC.
 
December 31, 2014
 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1
1.1
Defined Terms
1
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE
12
2.1
Purchase and Sale
12
2.2
The Closing
12
2.3
Consideration
12
2.4
Purchase Price Adjustment
13
2.5
Effective Time of Purchase
16
2.6
Tax Treatment
16
2.7
Allocation
16
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER
17
3.1
Seller Organization and Power
17
3.2
Purchased Equity
17
3.3
Seller Litigation
17
3.4
Enforceability
17
3.5
No Violation
17
3.6
No Acquisitions
17
3.7
Organizational Matters; Equity
17
3.8
Third Party Consents
20
3.9
Financial Statements
20
3.10
Tax Matters
20
3.11
Absence of Certain Changes
23
3.12
Assets
24
3.13
Bank Accounts
25
3.14
Litigation
25
3.15
Compliance With Laws
26
3.16
Insurance
27
3.17
Material Contracts
27
3.18
Employee Matters
29
 
i
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
Page
 
3.19
Employee Benefit Plans
31
3.20
Environmental Matters
32
3.21
Proprietary Rights
34
3.22
Brokerage
35
3.23
Seller Contracts and Services; Related Party Transactions; Intercompany Indebtedness
35
3.24
Inventory
36
3.25
Accounts Receivable
36
3.26.
Customers and Suppliers
36
3.27
No Subsidiaries
36
3.28
Books and Records
36
3.29
Customer Lists
37
3.30
No Other Representations and Warranties
37
ARTICLE IV
 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
37
4.1
Organization
37
4.2
No Violation
37
4.3
Authority; Validity
37
4.4
Third Party Consents
38
4.5
Investment/Operational Intent
38
4.6
Knowledge
38
4.7
Financing
38
4.8
Legal Proceedings
38
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS 39
5.1
Access to Information and Records
39
5.2
Conduct of Business Pending the Closing
39
5.3
Efforts to Close
40
5.4
Exclusivity
40
5.5
Publicity
41
5.6
Notice of Certain Events
41
 
ii
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
Page
 
5.7
Disclosure Schedule
41
5.8
Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others
42
5.9
Retention of Records
43
5.10
Benefits
43
5.11
Employee Benefit Plans
44
5.12
Tax Matters
46
5.13
Escheatment Cooperation
49
5.14
Indebtedness
49
5.15
Insurance
49
5.16
Conflicts and Privilege
49
5.17
Non-competition; Non-solicitation
50
5.18
Transfer of Milwaukee Property
51
5.19
Closing Conditions
51
5.20
Management Reports
51
5.21
Related Party Transactions
52
5.22
Intercompany Indebtedness
52
5.23
Release of Guarantees
52
5.24
Quad Agreement
52
5.25
Current Employees
52
5.26
Employment Records
53
5.27
Merchants
53
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE BUYER’S OBLIGATIONS
53
6.1
Representations and Warranties True on the Closing Date
53
6.2
Compliance With Agreement
53
6.3
Absence of Litigation
53
6.4
Consents and Approvals
53
6.5
Employment of Executives
53
6.6
Material Adverse Effect
54
6.7
Related Party Transactions
54
 
iii
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
Page
 
6.8
Documents to be Delivered by the Seller
54
6.9
Cybersource
55
6.10
Corporate Minute Books and Stock Records
55
6.11
Bank Accounts
55
6.12
Seller Employees
55
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE SELLER’S OBLIGATIONS
56
7.1
Representations and Warranties True on the Closing Date
56
7.2
Compliance With Agreement
56
7.3
Absence of Litigation
56
7.4
Documents to be Delivered by the Buyer
56
ARTICLE VIII
SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION
57
8.1
Survival
57
8.2
General Indemnification by the Seller
57
8.3
Indemnification by the Buyer
59
8.4
Procedures for Indemnification
59
8.5
Procedures for Third-Party Claims
60
8.6
Right to Cure; Mitigation
60
8.7
Tax Treatment of Indemnification
61
8.8
Exclusive Remedy
61
8.9
limitation of liability
61
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
61
9.1
Causes
61
9.2
Effect of Termination
62
9.3
Right to Proceed
62
ARTICLE X
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
62
10.1
Dispute
62
10.2
Process
63
10.3
Negotiations
63
10.4
Mediation
63
 
iv
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
 
Page
 
10.5
Submission to Adjudication
63
10.6
General
64
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
65
11.1
Further Assurance
65
11.2
Assignment
65
11.3
Law Governing Agreement; Jurisdiction
65
11.4
Amendment and Modification
65
11.5
Notice
65
11.6
Expenses
66
11.7
Entire Agreement; Binding Effect
66
11.8
Counterparts
67
11.9
Headings
67
11.10
No Strict Construction
67
11.11
No Reliance
67
11.12
Severability
67
11.13
Other Definitional Provisions
67
11.14
Specific Performance
68
11.15
Acknowledgment by the Buyer
68
 
v
EXHIBITS

Exhibit A:
Form of Transition Services Agreement
Exhibit B:
Sample Calculation of Working Capital
Exhibit C:
Allocation
Exhibit D:
Form of Milwaukee Office Lease
 
SCHEDULES
 
Disclosure Schedule
 
Schedule 3.5:
No Violation
Schedule 3.6:
No Acquisitions
Schedule 3.7(a):
Foreign Qualifications
Schedule 3.8
Third Party Consents
Schedule 3.9:
Financial Statements
Schedule 3.10:
Tax Matters
Schedule 3.11:
Absence of Certain Changes
Schedule 3.12(a)(i)
Liens
Schedule 3.12(a)(ii)
Exceptions to Owned Property
Schedule 3.12(c):
Real Property
Schedule 3.12(d):
Location of Personal Property
Schedule 3.12(e):
Condition of Personal Property
Schedule 3.12(f)
Subleases
Schedule 3.13:
Bank Accounts
Schedule 3.14:
Litigation
Schedule 3.15(a):
Compliance with Laws
Schedule 3.15(b):
Licenses and Permits
Schedule 3.16:
Insurance
Schedule 3.17(a):
Material Contracts
Schedule 3.17(b):
Exceptions to Material Contracts
Schedule 3.18(a):
Labor Disputes
Schedule 3.18(b):
Employment Compliance
Schedule 3.18(c):
Government Contract Matters
Schedule 3.18(e):
Employees
Schedule 3.18(f):
Compensation
Schedule 3.18(g):
Employment Litigation
Schedule 3.19(a):
Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 3.19(b):
Prohibited Transactions
Schedule 3.19(c):
Benefits Compliance
Schedule 3.19(d):
Additional Payments due to Transaction
Schedule 3.19(e):
Benefits to Former Employees
Schedule 3.20(a):
Environmental Claims
Schedule 3.20(b):
Hazardous Substances
Schedule 3.20(d):
Environmental Orders
Schedule 3.21(a):
Intellectual Property
Schedule 3.21(b)(i):
Intellectual Property Agreements
Schedule 3.21(b)(ii):
Software Agreements
 

Schedule 3.21(c):
Intellectual Property Ownership
Schedule 3.21(g):
Intellectual Property Actions
Schedule 3.21(h):
Social Media Accounts
Schedule 3.22:
Brokerage
Schedule 3.23(a):
Seller Contracts and Services
Schedule 3.23(b):
Related Party Transactions
Schedule 3.23(c):
Intercompany Indebtedness
Schedule 3.26(a):
Material Customers
Schedule 3.26(b):
Material Suppliers
Schedule 3.27:
Subsidiaries
 
Schedule 5.21:
Related Party Transactions
Schedule 5.23:
Release of Guarantees
Schedule 5.26:
TAKKT and Avenue Employees
Schedule 6.12:
Seller Employees
 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made as of December 31, 2014, by and between TAKKT AMERICA HOLDING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Seller”), and GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Buyer”) and GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL MEXICO HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Mexican Buyer”).
 
RECITALS
 
A.            The Seller owns all of the outstanding membership interests of C&H Service, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“C&H Service”), C&H Distributors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“C&H Distributors”),   Industrialsupplies.com , LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Industrialsupplies.com ”), and Products for Industry, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Products for Industry”), as well as an equity quota representing ninety-nine and 9961/1000 percent (99.9961%) (with C&H Distributors owning the other equity quota representing (0.0039%) of the capital of C&H Productos Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican Sociedad de Responsibilidad Limitada de Capital Variable (“C&H Productos”) and all of the outstanding shares of Avenue Industrial Supply Company Limited, a corporation organized under the Laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (“Avenue” and with C&H Service, C&H Distributors, Industrialsupplies.com , Products for Industry, and C&H Productos, each a “Company” and together the “Companies”).
 
B.             The Buyer desires to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity of C&H Service, C&H Distributors, Industrialsupplies.com , Products for Industry and Avenue from the Seller and the Seller desires to sell all of the issued and outstanding equity of such companies to the Buyer, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
C.             The Mexican Buyer desires to acquire ninety-nine and 9961/1000 percent (99.9961%) of the issued and outstanding equity of C&H Productos from the Seller and the Seller desires to sell ninety-nine and 9961/1000 percent (99.9961%) of the issued and outstanding equity of C&H Productos to the Mexican Buyer, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
 
1.1           Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms below shall have the following meanings.
 
“Action” means any claim, action, cause of action, demand, enforcement, lawsuit, arbitration, audit, notice of violation, proceeding, litigation, citation, summons, subpoena or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or otherwise, whether at law or in equity.
 

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and the term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
 
“Agreement” shall mean this Purchase Agreement, as the same shall be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
 
“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.15(e).
 
“Audit Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.12(d)(i). “Avenue” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“Avenue Shares” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(g). “Base Price” shall mean Twenty-five Million U.S. Dollars ($25,000,000).
 
“Base Working Capital” shall mean eleven million three hundred thousand U.S. Dollars ($11,300,000).
 
“Basket” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.2(b)(x)(B).
 
“Business” shall mean such business-to-business and consumer direct marketing activities primarily relating to durable products in the material handling and storage segment of the maintenance, repair, and operations industry as conducted by the Companies on the date hereof, including as set forth in each Company’s catalogues and websites.
 
“Buyer” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.
 
“Buyer Retirement Plan” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.11(a) of this Agreement.
 
“C&H Distributors” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“C&H Distributors Interests” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(c).
 
“C&H Productos” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“C&H Productos Equity” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(f).
 
“C&H Service” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“C&H Service Interests” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(b).
 
“Calculations” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c)(i) of this Agreement.
 
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“Cannizzo” shall mean Cannizzo, Ortiz & Asociados.
 
“Cap” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.2(b)(x)(C).
 
“Cash” shall mean the amount (which may be negative) of cash, short-term investments, marketable securities and other cash equivalents of each of the Companies on hand and in banks, plus deposits and checks in transit to any of the Companies, minus the amount of any checks drawn upon any bank accounts but not cashed (whether held or in transit) determined in accordance with IFRS. For clarity, Cash shall include any Cash held in the Bank of America medical claims account and Bank of America flexible benefits account, and other accounts where Cash may be held.
 
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.
 
“Claim” means any individual claim by the Buyer in respect of the Seller’s breach of Article III or in connection with any other breach by the Seller under this Agreement with respect to any indemnification obligation of the Seller.
 
“Cleary Gull” shall mean Cleary Gull Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
“CliftonLarson” shall mean CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.
 
“Closing” shall mean the conference to be held at 10:00 A.M. Central Time, on the Closing Date at the offices of Quarles & Brady LLP, 411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or such other time and place as the Parties may mutually agree in writing, at which the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated.
 
“Closing Amount” shall mean an amount equal to 92.5% of the aggregate of (a) the Base Price; plus (b) the Estimated Cash; plus or minus (c) any adjustment determined in accordance with Section 2.4(b).
 
“Closing Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
 
“Closing Date Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c)(i) of this Agreement.
 
“Closing Date Cash” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c)(i) of this Agreement.
 
“Closing Date Working Capital” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c) of this Agreement.
 
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
“Company” or “Companies” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“Company Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property that is owned by any of the Companies.
 
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“Company IP Agreements” means all licenses with an annual value of at least $20,000, all sublicenses with an annual value of at least $20,000, consent to use agreements, and other Contracts (including any right to receive or obligation to pay royalties or any other consideration) with an annual value of at least $20,000, relating to Intellectual Property to which any Company is a party.
 
“Company IP Registrations” means all Company Intellectual Property that is subject to any issuance registration, application or other filing by, to or with any Governmental Entity or authorized private registrar in any jurisdiction, including registered trademarks, domain names and copyrights, issued and reissued patents and pending applications for any of the foregoing.
 
“Confidentiality Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.5.
 
“Coverage Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.11(e)(ii).
 
“CPR” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.4 of this Agreement.
 
“Disclosure Schedule” shall mean the Seller s Schedules, dated as of the date of this Agreement, delivered by the Seller to the Buyer contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as the same may be updated from time to time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of Section 5.7(b) of this Agreement, which shall not include any Exhibits.
 
“Dispute” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.1 of this Agreement.
 
“E.O. 11246” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.18(c) of this Agreement.
 
“Effective Time” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5 of this Agreement.
 
“Employee Benefit Plan” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.19(a) of this Agreement.
 
“Environmental Claims” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of noncompliance or violation by any Person including without limitation any Governmental Entity, alleging noncompliance, violation or potential liability (including potential responsibility or liability for costs of enforcement, investigation, cleanup, governmental response, removal or remediation, for natural resources damages, property damage, personal injuries or penalties or for contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief) arising out of, or related to (a) the presence, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substances at any location, whether or not owned or operated by any Company, or (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation of, or liability under, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit.
 
“Environmental Laws” shall mean all Laws relating to pollution or protection of the environment or human health or safety, including Laws relating to emissions, discharges,generation, storage, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances into the environment, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act, all as in force and effect as of the Effective Time.
 
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“Environmental Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.20(a).
 
“Environmental Permit” means any Permit issued, granted, given, or authorized by a state or federal regulatory agency pursuant to Environmental Laws.
 
“Equity” shall mean all of the authorized membership interests, equity quotas or shares, as the case may be, of each of the Companies, which consists of a sole authorized membership interest of C&H Service, a sole authorized membership interest of C&H Distributors, a sole authorized membership interest of Industrialsupplies.com , a sole authorized membership interest of Products for Industry, and an unlimited number of authorized common shares, an unlimited number of authorized Preference shares and an unlimited number of authorized Class A Special shares of Avenue.
 
“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
 
“Escheatment Payment” shall mean all amounts owing to any Governmental Entity for sums that constitute abandoned or unclaimed property under applicable Laws.
 
“Escrow Agent” shall mean U.S. Bank, N.A.
 
“Escrow Agreement” shall mean the Escrow Agreement by and among Seller, Buyer and U.S. Bank.
 
“Escrowed Amount” shall mean an amount equal to 7.5% of the aggregate of (a) the Base Price; plus (b) the Estimated Cash; plus or minus (c) the amount of the adjustment to the Closing Amount determined in accordance with Section 2.4(b).
 
“Estimated Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a)(i) of this Agreement.
 
“Estimated Cash” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a)(iii) of this Agreement.
 
“Estimated Working Capital” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a)(ii) of this Agreement.
 
“Exclusivity Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.4.
 
“Final Allocation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.7 of this Agreement.
 
“Final Closing Date Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(e) of this Agreement.
 
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“Final Closing Date Cash” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(e) of this Agreement.
 
“Final Closing Date Working Capital” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(e) of this Agreement.
 
“Financial Statements” shall mean the (i) consolidated and consolidating balance sheets for each of the Companies as of December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (including retained earnings and stockholders’ equity (or equivalent) as presented on those balance sheets) for the years then ended, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income (KER format), and (ii) the Recent Balance Sheets (including retained earnings and stockholders’ equity (or equivalent) as presented on those balance sheets) and the related unaudited statements of income (KER format), for the interim period then ended, for each of the Companies and on a consolidated and consolidating basis.
 
“Governing Documents” shall mean with respect to any particular entity: (a) if a corporation, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or equivalent constitutive documents; (b) if a limited liability company, the articles of organization and the operating agreement; (c) if another type of Person, any other charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of the Person; and (d) any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing.
 
“Government Contract” means any contract (other than purchase orders) entered into between any Company and an agency of the United States or an agency of any of its respective States, or any municipality, or any intergovernmental agency or quasi-governmental agency. The term “Government Contract” also includes any subcontract at any tier of any Company known to Seller’s Knowledge to be (i) with another entity under a prime contract held by any Company with such a Governmental Entity and (ii) with another entity that holds either a prime contract with a Governmental Entity or a subcontract (at any tier) under such a prime contract, in each case including any task orders or delivery orders issued under, or any modifications to, any such prime contract or subcontract whether currently active or subject to an open audit period.
 
“Governmental Entity” shall mean any government, agency, governmental department or public department, commission, board, bureau, court, tribunal, minister, governor in council, agency, commissioner, arbitration panel or instrumentality of the United States of America, Canada or Mexico or any state, or province, as applicable, or other political subdivision thereof (whether now or hereafter constituted and/or existing) and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
 
“Governmental Order” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Entity.
 
“Hazardous Substance” shall mean any substance listed, defined or regulated as hazardous or toxic or words of similar substance and meaning under Environmental Laws.
 
“IFRS” shall mean International Financial Reporting Standards.
 
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“Indebtedness” shall mean all of the indebtedness of the Companies for borrowed money, including all current and long-term outstanding and unpaid principal, accrued interest, accrued fees and other charges relating thereto, but excluding any capitalized lease obligations.
 
“Indemnified Party” shall mean any Party seeking and entitled to indemnification under Article VIII of this Agreement.
 
“Indemnifying Party” shall mean the Party from whom the indemnification is sought under Article VIII of this Agreement.
 
“Indemnitees” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.8(a) of this Agreement.
 
“Independent Accountants” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(d) of this Agreement.
 
Industrialsupplies.com” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“Industrialsupplies.com Interests” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(d).
 
“Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property throughout the world, whether registered or unregistered, including any and all: (a) trademarks, service marks, trade names, brand names, logos, trade dress, design rights and other similar designations of source, sponsorship, association or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations, applications and renewals for, any of the foregoing; (b) internet domain names, whether or not trademarks, registered in any top-level domain by any authorized private registrar or Governmental Entity; (c) works of authorship, expressions, designs and design registrations, whether or not copyrightable, including copyrights, author, performer, moral and neighboring rights; (d) all registrations, applications for registration and renewals of such copyrights; (e) inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, business and technical information and know-how, databases, data collections and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein; (f) patents (including all reissues, divisionals, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part, re-examinations, renewals, substitutions and extensions thereof), patent applications, and other patent rights and any other Governmental Entity-issued indicia of invention ownership (including inventor s certificates, petty patents and patent utility models); and (g) software and firmware, including data files, source code, object code, application programming interfaces, architecture, files, records, schematics, computerized databases and other related specifications and documentation.
 
“Intercompany Indebtedness” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.23(c).
 
“Knowledge of the Seller” or “Seller’s Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of each of Felix Zimmerman, David McKeon, Daniel Paruzynski, Michael Snapper, Peter Langhammer, Judi Moskot, Steve Preiss, Karen Wagner, Dave Robinson, Tom Snyder (with respect to Products for Industry only), Alfonso Del Campo (with respect to C&H Productos only), and Nelson Rivers (with respect to Avenue only).
 
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“Law” shall mean any foreign, federal, provincial, state, local or other governmental law, rule or regulation, of a Governmental Entity, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
“Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, security agreement, easement, restriction or other similar encumbrance.
 
“Losses” shall mean damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, demands, judgments, interest, losses, costs or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees; provided, however, that “Losses” shall not include loss of profits, punitive damages or other special, exemplary or consequential damages and shall not be calculated by using a multiple of earnings, book value or other similar measure that may have been used in arriving at or that may be reflective of the Purchase Price.
 
“Market Break” shall have the meaning in the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” below.
 
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on: (a) the Business, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Companies taken as a whole and/or C&H Distributors individually; or (b) the ability of the Seller or any Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated by it, on a timely basis; provided that, Material Adverse Effect shall not include any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change, directly or indirectly, arising out of or attributable to: (i) a change after the date hereof in any applicable Laws or accounting rules or the enforcement, implementation or interpretation thereof; (ii) any changes in financial, banking or securities markets in the U.S., Canada or Mexico in general, which includes significant adverse change resulting from the closing of public equity markets in the U.S. or the halt or suspension of trading thereon and/or the closure or suspension of general commercial banking activities on the U.S.; (iii) any change that generally affects any industries in which the Business operates; (iv) any change arising in connection with earthquakes, tornadoes and other acts of nature, hostilities, acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage, terrorism or military actions; (v) compliance by the Seller with the terms of, or taking any action contemplated by, this Agreement or any agreement or document executed in connection herewith; (vi) any action taken by the Buyer in contravention of the terms and provisions of this Agreement; or (vii) the announcement, pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided however, that any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) immediately above shall constitute a Material Adverse Effect to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition or change has a disproportionate effect on the Companies taken as a whole and/or C&H individually as compared to other participants in the industries in which the relevant Company conducts its businesses.
 
“Material Contracts” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.17(a) of this Agreement.
 
“Material Customers” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.26(a).
 
“Material Suppliers” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.26(b) of this Agreement.
 
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“Merchant IDs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.27.
 
“Mexican Buyer” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble.
 
“Mexican Purchased Equity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
 
“Milwaukee Office Lease” shall mean the triple net lease for the Milwaukee Property, having a term of one (1) year (with one six (6) month renewal option), with annual base rent of $425,000, and such other agreed upon terms in substantially the form of Exhibit D.
 
“Milwaukee Property” shall mean the property located at 770 S. 70th Street, Milwaukee, WI.
 
“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
 
“Non-Ordinary Course Payables” shall mean any payables owing by the Company to the Seller and its Affiliates (including the Company) arising outside of the ordinary course and not due to any Ordinary Course Payables.
 
“Non-Ordinary Course Receivables” shall mean any receivables owing to the Company from Seller and its Affiliates (including the Company) arising outside of the ordinary course and not due to any Ordinary Course Receivables.
 
“Non-U.S. Benefit Plan” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.19(a).
 
“OFAC” shall have the meaning specified in section 3.15(d).
 
“Ordinary Course Payables” shall mean payables owing by the Company to the Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company) arising out of the purchase of products or services by the Company from Seller and its Affiliates in their respective catalogs/websites.
 
“Ordinary Course Receivables” shall mean receivables owing to the Company from Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company) arising out of the sale of products or services generally offered by the Company in its respective catalogs/websites.
 
“Party” or “Parties” shall mean, individually, each of the Buyer and the Seller, and collectively, the Buyer and the Seller.
 
“Permits” shall mean licenses, permits, approvals, clearances, closures, authorizations and consents of any Governmental Entity.
 
“Permitted Business” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.17(f).
 
“Person” shall mean a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, partnership, limited partnership, Governmental Entity, or any other legal entity.
 
“PFI Interests” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7(e).
 
“Plan Split” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.10.
 
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“Pre-Closing Tax Period” shall mean any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion through the end of the Closing Date for any taxable period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date.
 
“Products for Industry” shall have the meaning specified in the recitals.
 
“Proposed Deficiency” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(d)(i).
 
“Purchase Price” shall mean an amount equal to (a) the Base Price; plus (b) the Final Closing Date Cash; plus or minus (c) the amount by which the Final Closing Date Working Capital is greater than or less than the Base Working Capital.
 
“Purchased Equity” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding Equity.
 
“Real Property” shall mean all real property leased by any of the Companies.
 
“Recent Balance Sheets” shall mean the unaudited September 30, 2014 balance sheets of each of the Companies.
 
“Related Party Transactions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.21.
 
“Release” shall mean a release among the Seller, Buyer and the Companies.
 
“Replacement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.6(g) of this Agreement.
 
“Representative” means, with respect to any Person, any and all directors, officers, and employees of that Person.
 
“Request” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.4 of this Agreement.
 
“Restricted Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.17(a).
 
“Securities Act” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.5(c) of this Agreement.
 
“Section 503” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.18(c) of this Agreement.
 
“Seller” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.
 
“Seller Employee” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.12.
 
“Seller Retirement Plans” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.11(b) of this Agreement.
 
“Stikeman” shall mean Stikeman Elliott S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l./LLP.
 
“Straddle Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(b) of this Agreement.
 
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“TAKKT Bonus Programs” shall mean the bonus plans provided to certain of the Companies employees, including the TAKKT Premium Program, the warehouse incentive program, product manager incentive program, and the supplemental bonus plan.
 
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, county, local, provincial or foreign tax, charge, fee, levy, tariff, duty, deficiency or other assessment or fee, including any net income, gross income, alternative or add-on minimum, sales and use, ad valorem, transfer, gains, profits, excise, franchise, real and personal property, gross receipts, capital stock, production, business and occupation, disability, employment, payroll, occupation, license, estimated, stamp, mortgage recording, custom duties, value added, windfall profits, severance or withholding tax or charge, as imposed or assessed by any Governmental Entity, and includes any interest and penalties (civil or criminal) on or addition to any of the foregoing.
 
“Tax Proceeding” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(d)(ii).
 
“Tax Return” shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or credit, information return or other document (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of Taxes or the administration of any legal requirement relating to any Taxes, including any amendment thereof.
 
“Territory” means the United States, Canada and Mexico.
 
“Third-Party Claim” shall mean a legal proceeding, action, claim or demand instituted by any third person or Governmental Entity against an Indemnified Party.
 
“Transition Services Agreement” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement dated as of the Closing Date and entered into by the Seller, the Buyer and the Companies in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
 
“Union” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.18(d) of this Agreement.
 
“Updated Schedule” or “Updated Schedules” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.7(b) of this Agreement.
 
“U.S. Companies” shall mean C&H Distributors, Industrialsupplies.com , Products for Industry and C&H Service.
 
“Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistant Act of 1974” VEVRAA shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.18(c) of this Agreement.
 
“Working Capital” shall mean (i) the sum of the current assets (other than Non-Ordinary Course Receivables and Cash), namely trade receivables (net of reserves calculated on a basis consistent with the Companies historic practice), other receivables, inventories and deferred expenses (including prepayments) of each of the Companies, less (ii) the sum of the current liabilities (other than Non-Ordinary Course Payables), namely trade payables, advance payments, provisions, accrued expenses, other current liabilities and deferred income of each of the Companies (including, without limitation any amounts owed, owing, accrued or that should be accrued under IFRS in respect of any employee benefit, bonus, profit sharing or other compensatory arrangement) as set forth on the Estimated Balance Sheet, Closing Date Balance Sheet or Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, as the case may be. The parties agree that the FS items on Exhibit B will be used to calculate Working Capital. For clarity, (1) no income Tax liabilities are included in Working Capital and (2) any intercompany accounts between any of the Companies on the one hand and its Affiliates on the other hand shall not be taken into account when calculating Working Capital, other than Ordinary Course Receivables and Ordinary Course Payables for the sale or purchase of goods and services between the Companies and any of its Affiliates.
 
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ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE
 
2.1            Purchase and Sale. At the Closing, and upon all of the terms and subject to all of the conditions of this Agreement, the Seller agrees to sell, assign, convey and deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase and accept from the Seller, the Purchased Equity, free and clear of all Liens. At the Closing, and upon all of the terms and subject to all of the conditions of this Agreement, the Seller agrees to sell, assign, convey and deliver to the Mexican Buyer, and the Mexican Buyer agrees to purchase and accept from the Seller, ninety-nine and 9961/1000 percent (99.9961%) of the issued and outstanding equity of C&H Productos (“Mexican Purchased Equity”), free and clear of all Liens.
 
2.2           The Closing. The Closing shall take place on the third business day following the
day on which the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby occurs (other than conditions with respect to actions the Parties will take at the Closing itself), or such other time and date as the Parties may mutually determine in writing (the “Closing Date”).
 
2.3            Consideration.
 
(a)             Payment of Closing Amount. At the Closing, the Buyer and Mexican Buyer shall deliver to the Seller the Closing Amount by a wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Seller.
 
(b)             Payment of Escrowed Amount. At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent the Escrowed Amount pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date. The Escrowed Amount shall be a non-exclusive, first source of recourse for any and all liabilities of the Seller pursuant to a Claim under Article VIII of this Agreement. The Escrowed Amount shall be held in escrow for a period ending twelve (12) months after the Closing Date. The Buyer shall first seek recovery from the escrow until such escrow amount has a $0 balance before seeking recovery against the Seller directly. On the next business day following the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Escrow Agent will pay to the Seller the balance of the Escrowed Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on such date, any Claim by the Buyer has been made and the Buyer has notified the Seller and the Escrow Agent of such Claim, there will be withheld from the distribution to the Seller such amount of the Escrowed Amount as is necessary to cover the Loss resulting from such claim, and such withheld amount will be retained in the escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. Upon resolution of such claim the remaining amount of the Escrow Amount will be paid to the Buyer and/or the Seller in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and Article VIII.
 
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2.4           Purchase Price Adjustment.
 
(a)             No less than three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer both on a consolidated and consolidating basis:
 
(i)         A balance sheet of the Companies (the “Estimated Balance Sheet”), which shall set forth a good faith estimate of the balance sheet pursuant to IFRS of the Companies as of the Effective Time;
 
(ii)         A calculation of the total of the Companies’ Working Capital based on the Estimated Balance Sheet (the “Estimated Working Capital”), which shall be prepared consistent with Exhibit B (and reflecting IFRS presentation) and a calculation of the amount by which the Estimated Working Capital differs from the Base Working Capital;
 
(iii)       A statement of the Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount of Cash that will be on hand immediately prior to the Effective Time based on the Estimated Balance Sheet (the “Estimated Cash”); and
 
(iv)      A certificate of the Seller executed by the Chief Financial Officer of Seller that the Estimated Balance Sheet and the Estimated Working Capital were prepared in accordance with this Agreement.
 
(b)           For purposes of the Closing, the Closing Amount will be adjusted if the Estimated Working Capital is greater than or less than the Base Working Capital. If the Estimated Working Capital is greater than the Base Working Capital, then the adjustment will be an increase on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such excess. If the Estimated Working Capital is less than the Base Working Capital, then the adjustment will be a decrease on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such deficiency.
 
(c)
(i)          As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall prepare and deliver to the Seller the combined balance sheet of the Companies (the “Closing Date Balance Sheet”), and calculations of the amount of Cash immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Closing Date Cash”) and the Working Capital of the Companies immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Closing Date Working Capital”) based on the Closing Date Balance Sheet (the “Calculations”) and which shall be prepared consistent with Exhibit B and consistent with past practice (including Company’s accounting guidelines).
 
(ii)         Buyer agrees that it shall cause the Company’s accounting staff to be available at no cost to Seller to assist the Seller with the review of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and for the purposes described in the next sentence. In addition, Buyer agrees that TAKKT AG, Franz Haniel and CliftonLarson will be provided access to the Company and its books and records for the purposes of the review of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and for purposes of the attestation (audit or review, depending on the entity), the preparation of income tax returns and the deconsolidation of the balance sheets.
 
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(iii)       During the review by the Seller of the Closing Date Balance Sheet, with respect to any disputed item only, the Buyer will cause each of the Companies to make the work papers and back-up materials used in (or necessary for) any disputed balances set forth in the Closing Date Balance Sheet, and any related books and records of each of the Companies, their accountants and other representatives, available to the Seller and its accountants and other representatives. Such request shall be directed to the Controller of C&H and a member of Buyer’s senior finance staff.
 
(iv)      The Seller may object to the Closing Date Balance Sheet and the Calculations by notifying the Buyer in writing of each objection and delivering to the Buyer a statement describing the basis for each objection along with the Seller s Closing Date Balance Sheet and Calculations.
 
(v)       The parties agree that the accrual for the Escheatment Payment on the Closing Date Balance Sheet and the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet shall be $100,000 ; provided however, that Buyer retains its remedies under Section 8.2(c).
 
(vi)      The parties agree that the Company shall be permitted to sweep its cash account to Seller as of the end of the day on the Closing Date, and after such date, Seller shall cause such sweep of the Company cash account to be terminated.
 
(vii)     Any component of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and the Calculations (other than any corresponding accounts or adjustments to the item(s) in dispute) which is not the subject of a written objection by the Seller delivered to the Buyer within forty-five (45) days of the Seller s receipt of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and the Calculations shall be final and binding on the Parties and included in the final adjustments described in Section 2.4(f) below.
 
(viii)    If the Buyer agrees with any objection of the Seller and the Seller s Closing Date Balance Sheet and Calculations, then the matters agreed to by the Buyer shall be final and binding on the Parties and included in the adjustments described in Section 2.4(f) below.
 
(ix)       To the extent the Buyer does not agree with the objection(s) of the Seller or the Seller s Closing Date Balance Sheet and Calculations, then the Buyer must, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Seller s objection(s) and Calculations, notify the Seller of its disagreement.
 
(d)            The Parties shall use reasonable efforts to resolve any dispute described in Section 2.4(c); provided, that if they are unable to do so within thirty (30) days following the Buyer s notice to the Seller that it disagrees with the Seller s objection(s) or the Seller s Closing Date Balance Sheet and Calculations, then by notice from the Buyer or the Seller to the other, the disagreement may be submitted for resolution to such firm of independent accountants of national standing to which the Parties agree and which has not provided substantial services to the Buyer, any of the Companies, the Seller or any of their respective Affiliates (the “Independent Accountants”) in the past three (3) years. The Seller and the Buyer shall execute an engagement letter reasonably requested by the Independent Accountants. Within ten (10) days after the Independent Accountants have been retained, the Seller and Buyer shall furnish, at their own expense, to the Independent Accountants and the other Party a written statement of their position with respect to each matter in dispute. Within five (5) business days after the expiration of such ten (10) day period, the Seller and the Buyer each may deliver to the Independent Accountants and to the other Party their response to the other’s position on each matter in dispute. With each submission, the Seller and the Buyer may also furnish to the Independent Accountants such other information and documents as they deem relevant or such information and documents as may be requested by the Independent Accountants with appropriate copies or notification being given to the other Party. The Independent Accountants may, at their discretion, conduct a conference concerning the disagreement with the Seller and the Buyer, at which conference each Party shall have the right to present additional documents, materials and other information and to have present its advisors, counsel and accountants. In connection with such process, there shall be no hearings, oral examinations, testimony, depositions, discovery or other similar proceedings conducted by any Party or by the Independent Accountants.
 
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(e)            The Independent Accountants shall be directed to promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days after their appointment pursuant to Section 2.4(d), render their decision on the disputed items. The decision of the Independent Accountants on each item in dispute may not be greater than the higher position of the Buyer or the Seller nor lower than the lower position of the Buyer or the Seller with respect to such item. The Independent Accountants’ determination as to each item in dispute shall be set forth in a written statement delivered to the Seller and the Buyer, which shall include the Independent Accountants’ determination of the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and the Final Calculations. The Independent Accountants shall also determine the proportion of their fees and expenses to be paid by each of the Seller and the Buyer based on the degree to which the Independent Accountants have accepted the positions of the respective Parties. The term “Final Calculation” means the Calculation as revised by the Parties and/or determined by the Independent Accountants, the term “Final Closing Date Balance Sheet” means the Closing Date Balance Sheet, together with any revisions agreed to by the Parties pursuant to Sections 2.4(c) or 2.4(d) and/or as determined by the Independent Accountants pursuant to Section 2.4(e), the term “Final Closing Date Cash” means the combined total Cash of all of the Companies immediately prior to the Effective Time of Closing as set forth on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and the term “Final Closing Date Working Capital” means the total Working Capital of the Companies immediately prior to the Effective Time as set forth on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet.
 
(f)            If the Final Closing Date Working Capital is greater than the Estimated Working Capital, then the Buyer shall pay the Seller the amount of the excess. If the Final Closing Date Working Capital is less than the Estimated Working Capital, then the Seller shall pay to the Buyer the amount of such deficiency. If the Final Closing Date Cash is greater than the Estimated Cash, then the Buyer shall pay the Seller the amount of the excess. If the Final Closing Date Cash is less than the Estimated Cash, then the Seller shall pay the Buyer the amount of such deficiency. These payments shall not affect the Escrowed Amount.
 
(g)            If the net amount of the payments described in Section 2.4(f) is a payment to the Seller, the Buyer shall pay such amount to the Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Seller, no later than three (3) business days after the completion of the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet. If the net amount of the payments described in Section 2.4(f) is a payment to the Buyer, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer such amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated in writing by the Buyer, no later than three (3) business days after the completion of the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet. Any payment made under Section 2.4 shall be deemed to be an adjustment to the Purchase Price by the Parties for Tax purposes, and for any other purposes hereunder for which Purchase Price is used in a calculation (including, without limitation for calculation of the indemnification formulas under Article VIII) to the extent permitted under applicable Laws and the value of any such adjustment to the Purchase Price shall be allocated in accordance with Section 2.7.
 
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(h)            The Estimated Balance Sheet, the Estimated Working Capital, the Estimated Cash, the Closing Date Balance Sheet, Closing Date Working Capital and Closing Date Cash shall be prepared in accordance with IFRS and on a basis consistent with the preparation of each of the Companies December 31, 2013 balance sheets.
 
2.5            Effective Time of Purchase. The time on the Closing Date at which all of the conditions to Closing have been satisfied or waived will be the “Effective Time”; provided, however, that if the Closing occurs and if permitted by applicable Law, for Tax, accounting and other computational purposes, the Effective Time will be deemed to have occurred as of 11:59 p.m. on the Closing Date.
 
2.6           Tax Treatment. The Parties agree to treat the purchase and sale of the membership interests of the U.S. Companies as a purchase and sale of the assets of such entities for U.S. federal and state income Tax purposes. The Buyer agrees that it will not make or cause to be made any election under Section 338 of the Code with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
2.7           Allocation. The Buyer and the Seller agree that the Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Purchased Equity and the Mexican Purchased Equity, and among the assets of the U.S. Companies, in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and in the manner set forth in Exhibit C. Within sixty (60) following completion of the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, the Buyer shall submit a final purchase price allocation to the Seller which shall set forth the amount allocated to the various assets using the methodology set forth in Exhibit C. If the Seller disagrees with any aspect of the allocation, the Seller shall give written notice to the Buyer within thirty (30) days of receipt of such allocation. If the Parties are unable to resolve any disagreements within fifteen (15) days of the Seller s notice to the Buyer, such disputed items may be submitted to the Independent Accountants and such dispute shall be administered in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.4. The allocation shall be considered final upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the Seller failing to provide timely notice of any objections to the Buyer; (ii) the Buyer and the Seller agreeing upon the allocation; or (iii) the Independent Accountants final decision (the “Final Allocation”). Neither the Seller nor the Buyer (or any of their respective Affiliates) shall file any Tax Return (including IRS Form 8594) or, without the consent of the other (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), take any position in any Tax Return, refund claim, litigation or otherwise that is inconsistent with the Final Allocation. If the Final Allocation is disputed by any Taxing authority, the Party receiving notice of such dispute shall promptly notify the other Party hereto. The Seller and the Buyer agree to cooperate in good faith in responding to any such challenge to preserve the effectiveness of the Final Allocation.
 
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER
 
All representations and warranties of the Seller are made subject to the Disclosure Schedule. Subject to the foregoing, the Seller hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows:
 
3.1           Seller Organization and Power. The Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Seller has full corporate power, right and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Seller pursuant hereto and to carry out the obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery by the Seller of this Agreement, the performance by the Seller of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Seller and TAKKT AG.
 
3.2           Purchased Equity. The Seller has full power, right and authority to transfer the Purchased Equity and the Mexican Purchased Equity to the Buyer. The Seller owns and is conveying to the Buyer the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity, free and clear of all Liens.
 
3.3           Seller Litigation. There is no litigation, arbitration, action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Seller s Knowledge, threatened against the Seller relating to the purchase and sale of the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity or that could delay or prevent the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
3.4           Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes, and when executed and delivered, the other documents and instruments required to be executed and delivered by the Seller pursuant hereto will constitute, the valid and binding agreement of the Seller enforceable against the Seller in accordance with their respective terms and enforceable against any Company with respect to any actions to be taken by or on behalf of the Seller and any Company hereunder on or prior to the Closing Date.
 
3.5           No Violation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller and the consummation by the Seller and/or each of the Companies of the transactions contemplated hereby will not cause (with or without giving effect to lapse of time, any waiver or any notice or cure period) a breach or violation of or default under or conflict with or be in contravention of any provision of (a) the Governing Documents of the Seller or any of the Companies; (b) any Material Contract to which the Seller or any of the Companies is a party or by which any of the Seller and/or any of the Companies and/or their assets are bound; or (c) to the Knowledge of the Seller, any Law applicable to the Seller or any of the Companies.
 
3.6          No Acquisitions. Except for this Agreement, and as set forth on Schedule 3.6, neither the Seller nor any Company is a party to or bound by any agreement, undertaking or commitment with respect to a purchase, sale, share exchange or tender offer for the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity or any assets of any of the Companies.
 
3.7          Organizational Matters; Equity.
 
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(a)           Each of the Companies is duly licensed or qualified to conduct business and is in good standing (or its equivalent), in every jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned or leased by such Company, or the nature of its business, makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All jurisdictions in which each of the Companies are licensed or qualified to do business are listed in Schedule 3.7(a). Each of the Companies has all requisite power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on the business conducted by such Company as and where such is now being conducted.
 
(b)           C&H Service is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The authorized membership interests of C&H Service consist of a sole membership interest (the “C&H Service Interests”), which is owned of record and beneficially by the Seller. All of the C&H Service Interests have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the C&H Service Interests or obligating the Seller or C&H Service to issue or sell any membership interests in C&H Service. C&H Service is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its membership interests. All of the C&H Service Interests were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the C&H Service Interests were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or C&H Service is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the C&H Service Interests.
 
(c)             C&H Distributors is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The authorized membership interests of C&H Distributors consist of a sole membership interest (the “C&H  Distributors Interests”), which is owned of record and beneficially by the Seller. All of the C&H Distributors Interests have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the C&H Distributors Interests or obligating the Seller or C&H Distributors to issue or sell any membership interests in C&H Distributors. C&H Distributors is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its membership interests. All of the C&H Distributors Interests were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the C&H Distributors Interests were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or C&H Distributors is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the C&H Distributors Interests.
 
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(d)           Industrialsupplies.com is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The authorized membership interests of Industrialsupplies.com consist of a sole membership interest (the “Industrialsupplies.com Interests”), which is owned of record and beneficially by the Seller. All of the Industrialsupplies.com Interests have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the Industrialsupplies.com Interests or obligating the Seller or Industrialsupplies.com to issue or sell any membership interests in Industrialsupplies.com . Industrialsupplies.com is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its membership interests. All of the Industrialsupplies.com Interests were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the Industrialsupplies.com Interests were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or Industrialsupplies.com is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Industrialsupplies.com Interests.
 
(e)            Products for Industry is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The authorized membership interests of Products for Industry consist of a sole membership interest (the “PFI Interests”) which is owned of record and beneficially by the Seller. All of the PFI Interests have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the PFI Interests or obligating the Seller or Products for Industry to issue or sell any membership interests in, Products for Industry. Products for Industry is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its membership interests. All of the PFI Interests were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the PFI Interests were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or Products for Industry is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the PFI Interests.
 
(f)            C&H Productos is a Sociedad de Responsibilidad Limitada de Capital Variable duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or its equivalent) under the Laws of Mexico. The authorized capital of C&H Productos consists of 2 (two) equity quotas. K+K America Corporation n/k/a TAKKT America Holding, Inc. is the record and beneficial owner of 1 (one) equity quota with value of MXN$64,794,502.00 that represents 99.9961% and C&H Distributors is the record and beneficial owner of 1 (one) equity quota with value of MXN$2,499.00 that represents 0.0039% of the issued and outstanding capital of C&H Productos (collectively, the “C&H Productos Equity”). All of the C&H Productos Equity have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the C&H Productos Equity or obligating the Seller or C&H Productos to issue or sell any equity quotas in, C&H Productos. C&H Productos is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its equity quotas. All of the C&H Productos Equity were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the C&H Productos Equity were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or C&H Productos is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the C&H Productos Equity.
 
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(g)            Avenue is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or its equivalent) under the Laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The authorized capital of Avenue consists of an unlimited number of common shares, an unlimited number of Preference shares and an unlimited number of Class A Special shares. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Avenue, consisting of 200 common shares and 7,000 Class A Special shares (collectively, the “Avenue Shares”), are owned of record and beneficially by the Seller. All of the Avenue Shares have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the Avenue Shares or obligating the Seller or Avenue to issue or sell any shares of, or other interest in, Avenue. Avenue is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital. All of the Avenue Shares were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the Avenue Shares were issued in violation of any agreement, arrangement or commitment to which the Seller or Avenue is a party or is subject or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person. There are no voting trusts, membership interest agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Avenue Shares.
 
(h)            True, correct and complete copies of the Governing Documents of each of the Companies have been made available to the Buyer. The Governing Documents are valid and in full force and effect. None of the Companies is in violation of any provision of the Governing Documents. Except as set forth in Section 3.7(f), no Company has any ownership interest in any other Person.
 
3.8           Third Party Consents. Except for the third party consents listed on Schedule 3.8 and except for any agreements that are not Material Contracts, no approval, registration, authorization, notice, consent or other action by or filing with any Person is required for the Seller’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby to be performed by the Seller and/or for the performance of this Agreement by Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated to be performed by any Company.
 
3.9            Financial Statements. Schedule 3.9 contains true, correct and complete copies of the Financial Statements. All of such Financial Statements (a) have been prepared in accordance with the books and records regularly maintained by each of the Companies; (b) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of each of the Companies as of the respective dates indicated and the assets, liabilities, financial condition and results of operation of the Companies as of the dates and for the periods indicated; and (c) were prepared in accordance with IFRS consistently applied throughout all periods involved, subject to any exceptions described therein and, in the case of the Recent Balance Sheets, to normal year-end and audit adjustments and any other adjustments described therein and to the absence of footnotes thereto. Each of the Companies maintains a standard system of accounting established and administered in accordance with IFRS (and the Company’s accounting guidelines). The consolidated and consolidating Financial Statements are prepared in Euros and then converted back to U.S. Dollars.
 
3.10         Tax Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10:
 
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(a)            None of the U.S. Companies has made an election on Form 8832, Entity Classification Election or any analogous form, to be classified as other than a disregarded entity for U.S. federal or, to the extent applicable, state, local or non-U.S. income Tax purposes. Avenue and C&H Productos are each classified as a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal and, to the extent applicable, state, local or non-U.S. income Tax purposes.
 
(b)           For all periods open under the applicable statute of limitations, all federal, state, provincial, local and foreign income, information and other Tax Returns which are required to be filed by each of the Companies or by the Seller on behalf of each of the Companies have been timely filed and all such Tax Returns have been prepared in compliance with all applicable Laws and are true, complete and accurate in all respects.
 
(c)            All Taxes imposed for all periods open under the applicable statute of limitations upon each of the Companies or upon any of its assets, income or franchises whether or not reflected in its Tax Returns which are due and payable have been timely paid (or are being contested in good faith).
 
(d)            There are no ongoing Tax audits by any Taxing authority against any of the Companies or the Seller with respect to any of the Companies and no claim has been received by any of the Companies from a Taxing authority in a jurisdiction where any of the Companies do not pay Taxes or file Tax Returns to the effect that it is or may be subject to Taxes assessed by such jurisdiction.
 
(e)            No waivers of statutes of limitations have been given or requested with respect to any Taxes of the Companies and which remain open as of the date hereof.
 
(f)            The Companies have each withheld from each payment made by it the amount of all Taxes required under applicable Law to be withheld therefrom and has remitted all those amounts withheld to the relevant Governmental Entity within the time prescribed under any applicable Law and complied with all information reporting and backup withholding provisions of applicable Law.
 
(g)             Except where the adverse effect to a Company is less than $10,000, each of the Companies has complied with all registration, reporting, collection and remittance requirements in accordance with applicable Laws in respect of sales Taxes, including the Excise Tax Act (Canada).
 
(h)           The amount of each Company s liability for unpaid Taxes for all periods ending on or before the date of the Recent Balance Sheets does not, in the aggregate, exceed the amount of accruals for Taxes (excluding reserves for deferred Taxes) reflected on the Financial Statements.
 
(i)             Schedule 3.10 sets forth since December 31, 2010 those years for which examinations by the taxing authorities have been completed; and those taxable years for which examinations by taxing authorities are presently being conducted.
 
(j)             All deficiencies asserted, or assessments made, against any of the Companies as a result of any examinations by any taxing authority have been fully paid.
 
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(k)            To the Seller s Knowledge, since January 1, 2012, none of the Companies is a party to any Action by any Taxing authority for which notice has been received by any Company or sent to any of the Companies. To the Seller s Knowledge, there are no pending or threatened Actions by any Taxing authority.
 
(l)             The Seller has delivered to the Buyer copies of all federal, state, local and foreign income, franchise and similar Tax Returns that were requested by the Buyer in writing, and those examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against, or agreed to by, each of the Companies that were requested by the Buyer or its Representatives in writing, for all Tax periods ending after December 31, 2010.
 
(m)           There are no Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon the assets of any of the Companies.
 
(n)           None of the Companies is a party to, or bound by, any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement.
 
(o)           No private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda or similar agreements or rulings have been requested, entered into or issued by any taxing authority with respect to any of the Companies.
 
(p)            None of the Companies has been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax group for Tax purposes (other than a group that includes the Seller). None of the Companies has any Liability for Taxes of any Person (other than such Company) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Law), as transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.
 
(q)           None of the Companies will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period or portion thereof ending after the Closing Date as a result of:
 
(i)         any change in a method of accounting under Section 481 of the Code (or any comparable provision of state, local or foreign Tax Laws), or use of an improper method of accounting, for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date;
 
(ii)        an installment sale or open transaction occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, which is outside of the ordinary course of business;
 
(iii)       a prepaid amount received on or before the Closing Date, which is outside of the ordinary course of business;
 
(iv)       any closing agreement under Section 7121 of the Code, or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law; or
 
(v)       any election under Section 108(i) of the Code.
 
(r)            Schedule 3.10 sets forth a list of states in the United States in which each of the U.S. Companies file income and sales and use Tax Returns.
 
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3.11         Absence of Certain Changes. Other than pursuant to this Agreement or as described on Schedule 3.11, since the date of the Recent Balance Sheets until the date of this Agreement, no Company has:
 
(a)            Suffered any theft, damage, destruction or casualty loss to any material asset or any material portion of its assets (whether or not covered by insurance), or any substantial destruction of its books and records;
 
(b)           Sold, leased, assigned or transferred any material asset or any material portion of its assets other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and other dispositions in the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $100,000;
 
(c)            Waived any right of material value except in the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $25,000 and consistent with past practice;
 
(d)           (i) Made or granted any bonus or any wage, salary or compensation increase or any severance or termination pay to any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor or consultant, other than in the ordinary course of business and in amounts either consistent with past practice or the terms of the Employee Benefit Plans set forth on Schedule 3.19(a) and which have been accrued and/or paid and not in excess of $25,000 with respect to any individual or as provided for in any written agreements and which have been provided to Buyer or required by applicable Law; (ii) changed the terms of employment for any employee or any termination of any employees (x) for which the aggregate costs and expenses would exceed $25,000 in payments by any Company or (y) so as to release any non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality or proprietary work restrictions; or (iii) accelerated the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefit for any current or former employee, officer, director, independent contractor or consultant;
 
(e)            Made any capital investment in, loan or advance to a third Person (other than to Seller and its Affiliates) outside the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $15,000;
 
(f)             Made any payment of, or commitment to pay, any “stay put”, change of control, “golden parachute”, severance or termination pay to any employee in respect of the sale, reorganization or merger of any Company, including the transactions contemplated hereby;
 
(g)            Changed any material accounting methods or practices or changed depreciation or amortization policies or rates;
 
(h)            Disposed of any of its material assets or properties (outside of inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) in anticipation of this Agreement;
 
(i)             Made any acquisition of all or any substantial part of the stock or the business or operating assets of any other Person;
 
(j)             Made an amendment of the Governing Documents of such Company;
 
(k)            Split, combined or reclassified any shares of its Equity;
 
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(l)             Issued, sold or otherwise disposed of any of its Equity, or granted any options, warrants or other rights to purchase or obtain (including upon conversion, exchange or exercise) any of its Equity;
 
(m)            Incurred, assumed or guaranteed any indebtedness for borrowed money except unsecured current obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
 
(n)            Transferred, assigned, sold or otherwise disposed outside of the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $50,000 of any of the assets shown or reflected in the Financial Statements (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course) or canceled any debts or entitlements;
 
(o)             Transferred, assigned or granted any license or sublicense of any material rights under or with respect to any Company Intellectual Property;
 
(p)            Made any material capital expenditures in excess of $50,000;
 
(q)            Imposed any Liens upon any of the Company properties, Equity or assets, tangible or intangible;
 
(r)             Entered into a new line of business or abandoned or discontinued any existing lines of business;
 
(s)            Adopted any plan of merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution or filed a petition in bankruptcy under any provisions of federal or state bankruptcy Law or consented to the filing of any bankruptcy petition against it under any similar Law; or
 
(t)            Acquired by merger or consolidated with, or purchased a substantial portion of the assets or stock of, or acquired in any other manner, any business or any Person or any division thereof.
 
3.12          Assets.
 
(a)             Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(a)(ii), each of the Companies has (i) good, valid and marketable title to all of its owned assets and properties and (ii) valid right to use pursuant to a license or intercompany agreement or other arrangement (and other than as set forth in the Transition Services Agreement) with annual payment amounts in excess of $25,000, all of the assets and properties being used in the conduct of the Business, free and clear of all Liens except (1) those listed on Schedule 3.12(a)(i); (2) Liens for Taxes, charges or assessments not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (3) statutory and contractual Liens granted to any landlord, lessor, licensor, materialman, mechanic, carrier, or repairer and similar Liens granted in the ordinary course of business; (4) Liens expressly reflected in the Financial Statements; (5) zoning, entitlement, building and other land use and similar Laws and any agreements entered into with respect to the same; (6) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other similar matters of record; and (7) other immaterial defects in title.
 
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(b)           The assets referred to in Sections 3.12(a)(i) and 3.12(a)(ii) above are operational.
 
(c)           Schedule 3.12(c) contains a complete and accurate list of the Real Property, including, (i) the street address of each parcel of Real Property; (ii) if such property is leased or subleased by the Company, the landlord under the lease and the rental amount currently being paid, and the expiration of the term of such lease or sublease for each leased or subleased property; and (iii) the current use of such property. With respect to Real Property, the Seller has delivered or made available to the Buyer true, complete and correct copies of any leases affecting the Real Property. None of the Companies owns any real property as of the date hereof. Each Company is in compliance in all material respects with, has not received since January 1, 2012 notice of default or termination under and is not in default under any such lease for Real Property.
 
(d)           Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(d), all of the tangible personal property owned by each of the Companies is located on the Real Property, except inventory in transit.
 
(e)           Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(e), the furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property owned by each Company are in good operating condition and repair, subject to normal wear and tear, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or cost. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(e) and except for those assets provided in the Transition Services Agreement, the furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property currently owned or leased by each Company, together with all other properties and assets of each Company, are sufficient for the continued conduct of each Company’s business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the business of each Company as currently conducted.
 
(f)            To Seller’ s Knowledge, the use and operation of the Real Property in the conduct of each Company’s business do not violate in any material respect any Law. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(f), no Company is a sublessor or grantor under any sublease or other instrument granting to any other Person any right to the possession, lease, occupancy or enjoyment of any Real Property. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no Actions pending against or affecting any Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein in the nature or in lieu of condemnation or eminent domain proceedings.
 
3.13         Bank Accounts. Schedule 3.13 sets forth the names and locations of all banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations and other financial institutions at which each of the Companies maintains a safe deposit box, lock box or checking, savings, depository, custodial or other account of any nature, and the type and authorized signatories of each such account.
 
3.14          Litigation. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.14, there is no action, suit, proceeding, or arbitration pending for which notice or service of process has been served on any Company or, to the Seller’s Knowledge, threatened (a) against any of the Companies affecting any of its properties or assets, or (b) against or by any of the Companies or the Seller that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10 or Schedule 3.14, to the Knowledge of the Seller, there is no governmental investigation pending or threatened against any of the Companies and no unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against or affecting any of the Companies or any of its respective properties or assets.
 
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3.15         Compliance With Laws.
 
(a)             Compliance With Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15(a), to the Knowledge of the Seller, each of the Companies has complied and is in compliance with all applicable Laws since January 1, 2012, except where non-compliance would not have a cost to any Company after the Closing Date, if adversely determined greater than $20,000. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15(a), none of the Companies has received, since January 1, 2012, any written notice of violation or alleged violation of, any Laws, except where such violation would not have a cost to any Company after the Closing Date, if adversely determined, greater than $20,000. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15(a), none of the Companies is or has been during the past five years, the subject of any Action by any Governmental Entity for which written notice has been received by the Company, where damages to the Company could reasonably be in excess of $100,000 after the Closing Date.
 
(b)             Licenses and Permits. Schedule 3.15(b) contains a true and complete listing of all material Permits currently held by each of the Companies. All fees and charges with respect to such Permits as of the date hereof have been paid in full. To the Knowledge of the Seller, such Permits constitute the Permits required for the conduct of the Business as presently conducted, except where the failure to hold a Permit would not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Seller, all such Permits are in full force and effect and each of the Companies is in compliance in all material respects with the Permits held by it. Since January 1, 2012, no event has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time, waiver or cure period, would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, suspension, lapse or limitation of any Permit set forth in Schedule 3.15(b).
 
(c)             FCPA. Since January 1, 2012, none of the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller, any of its agents, has to the extent applicable, (i) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”); (ii) taken any unlawful action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA); (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom; (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment; or (iv) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; and each Company has instituted and maintained policies reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein.
 
(d)            OFAC. None of the Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller, any of their agents, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); and neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates will, directly or indirectly, use the Purchase Price amount, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such amount to any Affiliate, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
 
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(e)             Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of each Company are and have been conducted since January 1, 2012 in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the anti-money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any Company with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending for which notice has been received or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened.
 
(f)              Each Company is in compliance in all material respects with the terms of its Government Contracts, including without limitation any “most favored nations” or similar preferred pricing formula for the benefit of the customer, other than immaterial breaches in an amount which together with any interest or penalties that could be assessed in respect thereof are not greater than $25,000 in the aggregate.
 
3.16 Insurance. Schedule 3.16 contains a list of and description of all insurance policies (other than those that are Employee Benefit Plans) maintained by each of the Companies and the Seller. Such policies are (a) valid, outstanding and enforceable policies subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations contained therein; and (b) have not been subject to any lapse in coverage since January 1, 2013. All premiums with respect to such policies covering all periods up to and including the date hereof have been paid or, if due and payable prior to Closing, will be paid prior to Closing in accordance with the payment terms of each policy. Since December 1, 2014, no written notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy as in effect on the date hereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, the policies set forth on Schedule 3.16 do not provide for any retrospective premium adjustment or other experience-based liability on the part of any of the Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, there are no claims related to the business of any of the Companies pending under any such policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed or in respect of which there is an outstanding reservation of rights. None of the Seller nor any of the Companies is in default under, or has otherwise failed to comply with, in any material respect, any provision contained in any such policies. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, to the Knowledge of the Seller, the policies set forth on Schedule 3.16 are of the type and in the amounts customarily carried by Persons conducting a business similar to the Companies and are sufficient for compliance with all applicable Laws and any Material Contract to which each of the Companies is a party or by which it is bound.
 
3.17         Material Contracts.
 
(a)            Schedule 3.17(a) sets forth a complete list of each executory contract, lease or other written agreement to which any of the Companies is a party, other than customer or supplier purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business (the “Material Contracts”), and which constitute:
 
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(i)          A lease of real or personal property involving annual consideration or expenditure in excess of $100,000 or involving performance over a period of more than twelve (12) months;
 
(ii)        A collective bargaining agreement, labor union contract or any other agreement with any labor union or employee association that gives a labor union or employee association any right to represent any employees of the Companies;
 
(iii)       A loan agreement, promissory note, letter of credit, or other evidence of indebtedness as a signatory, guarantor or otherwise;
 
(iv)      An agreement involving payment or other obligations of more than $100,000 in the aggregate that is not cancelable on less than twelve (12) months notice;
 
(v)        A written employment agreement with any employee of any Company or other contract with an independent contractor or consultant (or similar arrangement) of any Company where annual consideration is in excess of $100,000, or which provides for any contractual payments or other obligations on termination of employment, different from the ones provided under the applicable Law, or that would impose any other obligations on the Companies arising directly from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
 
(vi)       A written employment agreement requiring annual payments by any Company equal to or greater than $100,000 with any employee of any Company or other contract with an independent contractor or consultant (or similar arrangement) of any Company and which are not cancellable without material penalty or without more than thirty (30) days notice;
 
(vii)      A contract or other arrangement under which a Company provides for any Tax and environmental indemnity to any Person where the cost to the Company after the Closing would be in excess of $50,000.
 
(viii)     A contract entered into since January 1, 2010 that relates to the acquisition or disposition of any business, a material amount of stock or assets of any other Person or any real property (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) for which there are other obligations after the closing;
 
(ix)       A broker, distributor, dealer, manufacturer s representative, franchise, agency, sales promotion, market research, marketing consulting or advertising contract where the amount involves more than $50,000 annually;
 
(x)        A partnership or joint venture agreement;
 
(xi)       Any Government Contract to which any of the Companies is a party, including, but not limited to any GSA Schedule with any Governmental Entity) which involves amounts in excess of $25,000 annually;
 
(xii)       A contract that limits or purports to limit the ability of any of the Companies to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or during any period of time;
 
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(xiii)     A contract between or among any of the Companies on the one hand and Seller or any Affiliate of Seller on the other hand; or
 
(xiv)     All guaranties of any obligations of another Person or similar agreement, and all loan agreements, promissory notes, industrial revenue bonds, letters of credit or other evidence of indebtedness (short or long term), whether as a signatory, guarantor or otherwise.
 
(b)            There are no oral agreements (other than employment agreements) between any Company and a third Person of the specific types of agreements listed in Section 3.17(a) above where the exposure to the Company post-Closing would be in excess of $100,000 individually and $500,000 in the aggregate. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.17(b), (i) all Material Contracts are valid and binding on each Company party to such agreement or by which its assets are bound and are in full force and effect; and (ii) neither such Company nor to the Seller s Knowledge the other party to such Material Contract is in breach or violation of, or default under, any material provision of any Material Contract (or is alleged in writing to be in breach, violation or default) or has provided or received since the date of the Recent Balance Sheet any notice of any intention to terminate, any Material Contract. To the Knowledge of the Sellers, no event or circumstance has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of default under any Material Contract or result in a termination thereof or would cause or permit the acceleration or other changes of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit thereunder.
 
(c)            Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(b.), since October 1, 2014, no Company has accelerated payments under or performance under, terminated or materially modified any Material Contracts.
 
3.18         Employee Matters.
 
(a)            Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(a), in the last five years, no Company has experienced any labor dispute, strike, lockout, any work stoppage or other similar labor disruption or material labor dispute affecting any Company or any of its employees.
 
(b)           Except to the extent set forth in Schedule 3.18(b), to the Knowledge of the Seller, (i) each of the Companies is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours (including, but not limited to, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, reasonable accommodation, disability rights or benefits, immigration, wages, hours, overtime compensation, child labor, hiring, promotion and termination of employees, working conditions, meal and break periods, privacy, health and safety, workers compensation, leaves of absence and unemployment insurance), and is not engaged in any unfair labor practice; (ii) there is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against any of the Companies pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar state agency or provincial tribunal; and (iii) there are no administrative charges or court complaints against any of the Companies concerning alleged employment discrimination or other employment related matters pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other Governmental Entity.
 
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(c)            All individuals characterized and treated by each Company as independent contractors or consultants are properly treated as independent contractors under all applicable Laws. All employees of each U.S. Company classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state and local wage and hour laws are properly classified. With respect to each Government Contract, each U.S. Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects since January 1, 2012 with Executive Order No. 11246 of 1965 (“E.O. 11246”), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 ( VEVRAA ), including all implementing regulations. Each Company maintains and complies with affirmative action plans in compliance with E.O. 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA, including all implementing regulations. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(c), the Company is not, and has not been for the past four years, the subject of any Action for which written notice has been received by any Company by any Governmental Entity in connection with any Government Contract or related compliance with E.O. 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA. Since January 1, 2012, no Company has been debarred, suspended or otherwise made ineligible from doing business with the United States government or any government contractor.
 
(d)           None of the Companies is a party to, bound by, or negotiating any collective bargaining agreement or other contract with a union, works council or labor organization (collectively, “Union”), and there is not, and has not been for the past five (5) years, any Union representing any employee of any Company, and to the Knowledge of the Seller, no Union or group of employees is seeking or has sought to organize employees for the purpose of collective bargaining.
 
(e)            Schedule 3.18(e) contains a list of all persons who are employees of each Company (other than the Seller Employees) as of the date hereof, including any employee who is on a leave of absence of any nature, paid or unpaid, authorized or unauthorized, and sets forth for each such individual the following: (i) employee name; (ii) title or position (including whether full or part time) and which Company the person is employed by or if different than employing Company, which Company the employee substantially performs services for; (iii) hire date; and (iv) current annual base compensation rate; and (v) commission, bonus or other incentive-based compensation. Schedule 3.18(e) lists all independent contractors or consultants of the Company who have earned more than $25,000 annually from any Company in fiscal year 2014.
 
(f)             Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(f) as of the date hereof, all compensation, including wages, commissions and bonuses, payable to all employees, independent contractors or consultants of the Company for services performed on or prior to the date hereof have been paid in full (or will be accrued in full on the Estimated Balance Sheet) or Closing Date Balance Sheet (as the case may be) and each of the Companies has deducted and remitted to the applicable Governmental Entity the required amounts from such compensation in accordance with applicable Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(f), there are no outstanding agreements, understandings or commitments of any Company with respect to any compensation, commissions or bonuses.
 
(g)           Except as set forth in Schedule 3.18(g), since January 1, 2012 there are no actions against any Company pending for which notice (oral or written) has been received by any Company, or to the Seller s Knowledge, threatened to be brought or filed, by or with any Governmental Entity or arbitrator in connection with the employment of any current or former applicant, employee, consultant, volunteer, intern or independent contractor of any Company, including, without limitation, any claim relating to unfair labor practices, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, equal pay, wage and hours or any other employment related matter arising under applicable Laws.
 
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3.19          Employee Benefit Plans.
 
(a)           Schedule 3.19(a) sets forth a true and complete list of all pension, benefit, retirement, bonus compensation, consulting, profit-sharing, medical, dental, life, accident insurance, employee welfare, disability, group insurance, and other similar fringe or employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements, and sets forth any change in control, retention, severance, stock option or deferred compensation plans, bonus plans, performance awards, incentives, paid time off, vacation and sick leave plans, in each case whether or not reduced to writing and whether funded or unfunded, including, without limitation, all “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), which are provided, administered, maintained, sponsored, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by any of the Companies or for which any of the Companies has any obligations or liability, contingent or otherwise for the benefit of, or that relate to, any current or former employees, officers, directors, retirees, independent contractors or consultants of any of the Companies or any spouse, beneficiary or dependent of such individual, or under which the Companies have or may have any liability, or with respect to which the Buyer or any of its Affiliates would reasonably be expected to have any liability, contingent or otherwise. The items described in the foregoing sentence are hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as “Employee Benefit Plans,” and each individually as an “Employee Benefit Plan.” True, complete and correct copies of all the Employee Benefit Plans, including all amendments thereto, the most recent summary descriptions provided to employees and former employees, the most recent actuarial reports, most recent annual information reports and investment reports and any recent Employee Benefit Plan financial statements have heretofore been made available to the Buyer. All employee data and documents necessary to administer each Employee Benefit Plan are in the possession of the applicable Company, and are complete and correct in all material respects and in a form which is sufficient for the lawful administration of the Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(a), (i) no U.S. Company, or any corporation or trade or business under common control (within the meaning of section 414 of the Code) with a U.S. Company, has, at any time during the last six (6) years, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any defined benefit pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, including any Multiemployer Plan, and no U.S. Company or any such other controlled group member has incurred, during the last six (6) years, any withdrawal liability under section 4203 or section 4205 of ERISA or liability under section 4062, section 4063 or section 4064 of ERISA that has not been satisfied in full; and (ii) no Employee Benefit Plan in which an employee or former employee of Avenue participates or has participated is a pension plan or multi-employer pension plan, as those terms are defined under the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) or any similar applicable legislation governing registered pension plans in Canada. Each Company has separately identified in Schedule 3.19(a) (i) each Employee Benefit Plan that contains a change in control provision and (ii) each Employee Benefit Plan that is maintained, sponsored, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by any Company primarily for the benefit of employees outside of the United States (a “Non-U.S. Benefit Plan”).
 
(b)           Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(b), to the Knowledge of the Seller, there have been no “prohibited transactions” by any of the U.S. Companies within the meaning of Section 406 or 407 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which a statutory or administrative exemption does not exist with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan.
 
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(c)            Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(c), with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan (i) all payments, contributions and premiums to date have been paid in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms of each Employee Benefit Plan and applicable Law and all amounts have been properly accrued to date as liabilities, including but not limited to any incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) medical and dental expenses, of each of the Companies which have not been paid have been properly recorded on the books of such Company; (ii) each Employee Benefit Plan in all material respects has been administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all Laws, including for the U.S. Companies ERISA and the Code and for C&H Productos the United Mexican States Social Security Institute ( Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social), the Mexican INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores) and the Retirement Savings System (Sistema de Ahorro para el Retiro-SAR) dispositions; (iii) each such Employee Benefit Plan for the U.S. Companies which is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such qualification, its related trust has been determined to be exempt from Taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code, and nothing has occurred since the date of such letter that has materially adversely affected such qualification or exemption; (iv) there are no actions, suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for benefits) for which notice has been received with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan or against the assets of any such Employee Benefit Plan; (v) no accumulated funding deficiency, as defined in ERISA or the Code, or reportable event, as defined in ERISA, currently exists with respect to any of the U.S. Companies; and (vi) any Employee Benefit Plan that is subject to section 409A of the Code has been drafted and administered in accordance with section 409A.
 
(d)           Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(d) and except for any Seller Employees, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former employee of any of the Companies to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment or benefit or enhanced benefit from such Company, except as expressly provided in this Agreement; (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation or benefits due from any of the Companies to any such employee or former employee (other than any Seller Employee); (iii) result in any prohibited transaction for any of the U.S. Companies which is described in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available; or (iv) result in any Employee Benefit Plan becoming terminable other than at the sole discretion of any of the Companies.
 
(e)            Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(e), no Company has liability for post-employment or post-retirement benefits, including but not limited to life, health, medical or other welfare benefits to former employees or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except for health continuation coverage as required by Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and at no expense to such Company.
 
(f)             To the Knowledge of the Seller, there have been no breaches of any fiduciary duty owed to any member, former member or their beneficiaries in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan.
 
3.20         Environmental Matters.
 
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(a)            To the Knowledge of the Seller, each of the Companies is in compliance since January 1, 2012 in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits. Without limiting the foregoing, to the Knowledge of the Seller C&H Productos is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente since January 1, 2012. Also without limiting the foregoing, Avenue is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable Environmental Protection Act (Ontario) and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (Alberta). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20(a), to the Knowledge of the Seller no Company has received in the last three years any written claim, request for information, complaint, citation, report or other written notice regarding any liabilities or potential liabilities under applicable Environmental Laws (“Environmental Notice”), including, without limitation, any communication that any Company is not in such compliance or is liable for remediation, cost recovery or contribution under CERCLA.
 
(b)            Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(b), to the Knowledge of the Seller, since January 1, 2012, no Company has stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled or released any Hazardous Substance, or owned or operated any facility or property, in a manner not otherwise in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.
 
(c)            There are no Environmental Claims pending for which written notice has been received since January 1, 2012 or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened, in the last three (3) years against any Company, in either case arising out of (i) any real property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by any Company or (ii) any current or former operations of any Company.
 
(d)           Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(d), no Company (i) has entered into or agreed to any consent decree or order or is subject to any judgment, decree or judicial order relating to compliance or liability under with Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or the investigation, sampling, monitoring, treatment, remediation, removal or cleanup of Hazardous Substances, and no investigation, litigation or other proceeding is pending or threatened for which written notice has been received with respect thereto, or (ii) is an indemnitor in connection with any claim threatened or asserted by any third-party indemnitee for any non-compliance with or liability under any Environmental Law or relating to any Hazardous Substances.
 
(e)            None of the real property owned or leased by any U.S. Company is listed or to the Knowledge of Seller proposed for listing on the “National Priorities List” under CERCLA, as updated through the date hereof, or any similar state, local or foreign list of sites requiring investigation or cleanup.
 
(f)             Since January 1, 2012, each Company has obtained, or has timely applied for, all Environmental Permits necessary under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business and operations as currently conducted.
 
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3.21         Proprietary Rights.
 
(a)            Schedule 3.21(a) lists all Company IP Registrations and common law trademarks, whether or not registered, that are material to the Company s business or operations. All required filings and fees related to the Company IP Registrations have been timely filed with and paid to the relevant Governmental Entities and authorized registrars.
 
(b)            Schedule 3.21(b)(i) lists all Company IP Agreements. The Company is not a party to any software agreements (oth er than commercially available “canned” or shrinkwrapped software) with an annual value in excess of $20,000, except for those software agreements listed in Schedule 3.21(b)(ii). The Seller has provided the Buyer with true and complete copies of all such Company IP Agreements set forth on Schedule 3.21(b)(i), including all modifications, amendments and supplements thereto and waivers thereunder. Each Company IP Agreement is valid and binding on each Company in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect. Since January 1, 2014, none of the Companies, nor to the Knowledge of the Seller, any other party thereto is in breach of or default under, or has provided or received any notice of breach or default of or any intention to terminate, any Company IP Agreement.
 
(c)            Except as set forth in Schedule 3.21(c), each Company is the sole and exclusive legal and beneficial owner, and with respect to Company IP Registrations, owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Company Intellectual Property, and has the valid right to use all other Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the conduct of such Company s current business or operations, in each case, free and clear of Liens. Except for the Eurokraft mark and as set forth on Schedule 3.21(c), none of the Seller s Affiliates own any of the trademarks, copyrights, domains, trade secrets, or patents used by any Company that are necessary for the conduct of such Company s current business or operations.
 
(d)            The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will not result in the loss or impairment of nor require the consent of any other Person in respect of, each Company s right to own, any Company Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 3.21(a).
 
(e) To the Seller s Knowledge, each Company s rights in its Intellectual Property are valid, subsisting and enforceable. Each Company has taken all reasonable steps to maintain such Company s Intellectual Property and to protect and preserve the confidentiality of all trade secrets included in Company Intellectual Property.
 
(f)             To the Seller s Knowledge, the conduct of each Company s business as currently and formerly conducted, and the products, processes and services of each Company, have not infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated, and do not and will not infringe, dilute, misappropriate or otherwise violate the Intellectual Property or other rights of any Person. To the Seller s Knowledge, no Person has infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated, or is currently infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating, any of the Company s Intellectual Property.
 
(g)           Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21(g) to the Seller s Knowledge, there are no Actions (including any oppositions, interferences or re-examinations) settled in the last five (5) years, pending or threatened (including in the form of offers to obtain a license) for which notice has been received: (i) alleging any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation of the Intellectual Property of any Person by any Company; (ii) challenging the validity, enforceability, registrability or ownership of any Company Intellectual Property or any of the Company’s rights with respect to such Company Intellectual Property; or (iii) by any Company or any other Person alleging any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation by any Person of any of the Company Intellectual Property. To the Seller’s Knowledge, no Company is subject to any outstanding or prospective Governmental Order (including any motion or petition therefor) that does or would restrict or impair the use of any Company Intellectual Property.
 
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(h)           Schedule 3.21(h) lists all social media accounts used in the Business by the Companies.
 
(i)             To the Seller’s Knowledge, each Company has a valid right to use the content on the websites that each Company uses for its current business or operations.
 
3.22         Brokerage. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, no Company will be liable for any brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, or similar compensation in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
3.23          Seller Contracts and Services; Related Party Transactions; Intercompany Indebtedness.
 
(a)              Seller Contracts and Services. Schedule 3.23(a) sets forth a true and complete list of (i) the contracts which any of the Companies participate in by virtue of being a subsidiary of the Seller and which following the Closing such Company will not be permitted to participate in, and (ii) material services provided by the Seller or its Affiliates to any of the Companies which service will not be provided to such Company following the Closing, in either case (i) or (ii) and which are not being temporarily continued following the Closing pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement.
 
(b)             Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.23(b), (i) there are no outstanding notes, accounts or other obligations payable to the Seller or any of its Affiliates by, or advance by, or advances by the Seller or any of its Affiliates to any of the Companies, and neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates is otherwise a creditor of any of the Companies; (ii) there are no outstanding notes, accounts or other obligations payable to any of the Companies by, or advance by, or advances by any of the Companies to, and none of the Companies is otherwise a creditor of the Seller or any of its Affiliates; and (iii) neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates is a lessor, owner or otherwise has any right or interest in or to any of the property, assets or business owned by any of the Companies or used by any of the Companies in connection with its business operations. Schedule 3.23(b) sets forth a true and complete list of all contracts, agreements and understandings (written or oral) between any of the Companies (on the one hand) and the Seller and any of its other Affiliates (on the other hand) that are material to the financial condition or business operations of any of the Companies.
 
(c)             Intercompany Indebtedness. Schedule 3.23(c) sets forth a true and complete list of (i) any indebtedness (including accrued interest) or other obligation, contingent or otherwise, from the Seller and any of its Affiliates to any of the Companies and (ii) any indebtedness (including accrued interest) or other obligation, contingent or otherwise, from any Company to the Seller or any of its Affiliates (collectively (i) and (ii), “Intercompany Indebtedness”).
 
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3.24         Inventory. All inventory of each Company, whether or not reflected in the Recent Balance Sheets, consists of a quality and quantity usable and salable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, except for obsolete, damaged, defective or slow-moving items that have been written off or written down to fair market value or for which adequate reserves have been established. All such inventory is owned by each Company free and clear of all Liens, and no inventory is held on a consignment basis.
 
3.25         Accounts Receivable. The accounts receivable reflected on the Recent Balance Sheets of each Company and the accounts receivable arising after the date thereof and prior to Closing (a) have arisen from bona fide transactions entered into by each Company involving the sale of goods or the rendering of services in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (b) constitute only valid undisputed claims of each Company to the Knowledge of the Seller, not subject to claims of set-off or other defenses or counterclaims other than normal cash discounts accrued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. The reserve for bad debts shown on the Recent Balance Sheets or, with respect to accounts receivable arising after the date of the Recent Balance Sheet, on the accounting records of the Company have been determined in accordance with IFRS, consistently applied, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of disclosures normally made in footnotes.
 
3.26          Customers and Suppliers.
 
(a)            Schedule 3.26(a) sets forth (i) each customer account which has paid aggregate consideration to the Companies for goods or services rendered in an amount greater than or equal to $250,000 for 2013 and as of November 30, 2014 (collectively, the “Material Customers”); and (ii) the amount of consideration paid by each Material Customer during such periods. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.26(a), none of the Companies has received any written notice that any of its Material Customers has ceased, or intends to cease after the Closing, to use its goods or services or to otherwise terminate or materially reduce its relationship with any Company.
 
(b)            Schedule 3.26(b) sets forth (i) each of the top ten suppliers for the Companies for 2013 and as of November 30, 2014 (collectively, the “Material Suppliers”); and (ii) the amount of purchases from each Material Supplier during such periods. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.26(b) no Company has received any written notice that any of its Material Suppliers has ceased, or intends to cease, to supply goods or services to such Company or to otherwise terminate or materially reduce its relationship with any Company.
 
3.27         No Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, none of the Companies owns or has any interest in any shares, or has an ownership interest in any other Person.
 
3.28          Books and Records. The minute books and stock record books of each Company, all of which have been made available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices. The minute books of each Company contain substantially all records of all meetings, and actions taken by written consent of, the stockholders, members, the board of directors, board of managers, and any committees of the board of directors (or equivalent) of each Company. At the Closing, all of those books and records will be in the possession of each Company or the Buyer.
 
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3.29         Customer Lists. Other than as acquired from or made available by any unaffiliated third party provider of rented or leased customer lists generally made available in the marketplaces in which the Business is conducted, none of the Seller nor any of its Affiliates has received or obtained since January 1, 2008, or has possession of any customer list or portion thereof of any of the Companies, and neither the Seller nor any of the Companies or any other Affiliates of Seller has sold or transferred any ownership interest, title to or rights in any such customer list or portion thereof to any third party, other than industry standard rental/lease arrangements as described in this sentence.
 
3.30         No Other Representations and Warranties. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III OF THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING THE DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES AND UPDATED SCHEDULES) THE SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES TO THE BUYER OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND THE SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY SUCH REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
 
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
 
The Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller as follows:
 
4.1           Organization. The Buyer is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws
of the State of Delaware. The Buyer has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Buyer and to carry out the obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
 
4.2           No Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer and the
consummation by the Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby will not cause a material breach or violation of or default under any provision of (a) the Governing Documents of the Buyer; (b) any material contract to which the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is bound; or (c) any Law.
 
4.3           Authority; Validity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Buyer pursuant hereto and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action of the Buyer. No other corporate act or proceeding on the part of the Buyer is necessary to authorize this Agreement or the other documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Buyer pursuant hereto or the consummation by the Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement constitutes, and when executed and delivered, the other documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Buyer pursuant hereto will constitute, valid and binding agreements of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles.
 
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4.4           Third Party Consents. No approval, authorization, notice, consent or other action
by or filing with any Person is required for the Buyer s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
4.5           Investment/Operational Intent.
 
(a)            The Buyer has sufficient sophistication, knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to enable it to evaluate the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and protect the Buyer s own interests.
 
(b)            The Buyer has been given access to information requested regarding each of the Companies and their assets, liabilities, and financial condition, including the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the officers of each of the Companies concerning the present and proposed activities of each of the Companies and to obtain the information which the Buyer deems necessary or advisable in order to evaluate the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Buyer has made its own independent investigation of each of the Companies and the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer has relied solely on the representations and warranties of the Seller expressly and specifically set forth in this Agreement, including the Disclosure Schedule and the Updated Schedules and any other document executed by the Seller and delivered contemporaneously with the execution hereof.
 
(c)            The Buyer is acquiring the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity for investment for the Buyer s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with any distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) or of any applicable securities Laws. The Buyer does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement, or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity. The Buyer understands that the availability of an exemption from registration or from prospectus requirements under the applicable securities Laws depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Buyer s representations as expressed in this Agreement. The Buyer was not created, and is not being used, solely to purchase and hold securities in reliance on an exemption from registration or from prospectus requirements under applicable securities Laws.
 
4.6           Knowledge. The Buyer has no knowledge of any breaches of any of the representations or warranties made by the Seller herein.
 
4.7           Financing. The Buyer has available cash resources in place in an amount
sufficient to satisfy all of the Buyer s obligations under this Agreement and to close the transactions described in this Agreement.
 
4.8           Legal Proceedings. There are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or other legal proceedings pending or, to the Buyer s knowledge, threatened against or by the Buyer that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
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ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
 
From and after the date of this Agreement, the Parties shall comply with the following covenants:
 
5.1          Access to Information and Records. During the period prior to the Closing, the
Seller shall cause each of the Companies to give the Buyer and its counsel, accountants and other representatives (i) with the prior consent of the Seller which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, reasonable access during normal business hours to the properties, books, records, contracts and documents of each of the Companies for the purpose of inspection, investigation and testing; and (ii) with the prior consent of the Seller in each instance, access to the officers of each of the Companies for the purposes of such meetings and communications as the Buyer reasonably desires. All access provided pursuant to this Section 5.1 shall be coordinated through Cleary Gull, the Chief Financial Officer of the Seller, or Quarles & Brady LLP.
 
5.2           Conduct of Business Pending the Closing. From the date hereof until the Closing,
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or approved in writing by the Buyer (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), the Seller shall cause each of the Companies to comply with the following covenants:
 
(a)             No Material Changes. Each of the Companies shall carry on the Business in the ordinary course and substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted; provided that any of the Companies and the Seller may take any actions needed to close the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(b)             Maintain Organization. Each of the Companies shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, preserve, renew and keep in favor and effect the existence, rights and franchises of such Company and to keep the business organization of such Company intact.
 
(c)             No Corporate Changes. No Company shall amend its Governing Documents or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Equity, except for the capital contributions being made to certain Companies or dividends being paid by certain Companies related to the settlement of the intercompany indebtedness.
 
(d)             Each of the Companies shall preserve and maintain all of its Permits.
 
(e)             Each of the Companies shall pay its debts, Taxes and other obligations when such become due and payable.
 
(f)              Each of the Companies shall maintain the fixed and leased assets owned, operated or used by each Company in the same condition as they were on the date of this Agreement, subject to reasonable wear and tear.
 
(g)             Each of the Companies shall continue in full force and effect without any adverse modifications all insurance policies set forth on Schedule 3.16, except as required by applicable Law.
 
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(h)           Each of the Companies shall perform all of its obligations under all Material Contracts in the ordinary course of business.
 
(i)             Each of the Companies shall maintain its books and records in accordance with past practice.
 
(j)             Each of the Companies shall comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
 
5.3           Efforts to Close.
 
(a)            Each Party will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to its respective obligations to consummate the Closing to be satisfied (including the preparation, execution and delivery of all agreements and instruments contemplated hereunder to be executed and delivered by such Party in connection with or prior to the Closing).
 
(b)           The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the Companies and their Affiliates have no responsibility for any financing that the Buyer may raise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and no responsibility for the content of any rating agency presentations, offering documents, private placement memoranda, bank information memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents prepared by or on behalf of the Buyer or any of its affiliates, or the Buyer s financing sources, in connection with the Buyer s financing activities in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
5.4           Exclusivity. Until the Closing occurs or this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms (the “Exclusivity Period”), (i) neither Seller nor any Company nor their representatives, shall, and shall not permit any other person including, without limitation, Cleary Gull and/or Quarles & Brady LLP, directly or indirectly, to solicit or negotiate any proposal for or continue any negotiation with respect to a transaction involving the Purchased Equity or any sale of substantially all of the assets outside the ordinary course of business involving any Company and (ii) neither Seller nor any Company nor their representatives including, without limitation, Cleary Gull and/or Quarles & Brady LLP, shall solicit or negotiate any proposal regarding the sale of any Company directly or indirectly to or with any other bidder for any Company or any person who has expressed interest in or submitted a bid for any Company for a transaction, or provide any information with respect to (and in this regard any such person shall be denied access to the virtual data room during the Exclusive Period) any Company or communicate the terms or conditions of this Agreement. Seller and/or each Company agree that a breach of any term, covenant or provision of this Section 5.4 by any one of Seller and/or any Company or their representatives shall cause immediate, substantial and irreparable harm to Buyer, and that in any suit, action or proceeding commenced by Buyer to enforce and/or remedy such breach, an action for damages will be insufficient, and that such damages are difficult to ascertain and there is no adequate remedy at law, and, accordingly, Buyer may seek and obtain such equitable relief, including injunctive relief, against Seller and/or any Company or any third party unaffiliated with Buyer regarding negotiation and/ or consummation of any transaction with such third party directly or indirectly resulting or relating to a breach by Seller and/or any Company of their obligations hereunder. Further, the foregoing shall not be in limitation of any other remedy available to Buyer.
 
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5.5           Publicity. The Confidentiality Agreement by and between Cleary Gull and the Buyer dated as of August 13, 2014, as amended to the date hereof, shall remain in full force and effect (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). None of the Seller, the Buyer or any of the Companies shall issue any notices, releases, statements and communications generally directed to employees, suppliers, customers and the public and the press relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party or its Affiliate may make a public announcement of the proposed or consummated transaction, if, in the opinion of counsel, such announcement is required to comply with any Law or any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or securities quotation system and such Party shall, to the extent practicable, consult with the other Party with respect to such announcements and give reasonable prior written notice of its intent to issue such announcement.
 
5.6           Notice of Certain Events.
 
(a)            From the date hereof until the Closing, the Seller shall promptly notify the Buyer in writing:
 
(i)         of any fact, circumstance, event or action the existence, occurrence or taking of which (A) has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (B) has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI to be satisfied;
 
(ii)       of any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
 
(iii)       of any notice or other communication from any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
 
(iv)       of any actions commenced for which notice or service of process has been received or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting the Seller or any Company that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.15 or that relate to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(b)           The Buyer s receipt of information pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall not operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or agreement given or made by the Seller in this Agreement and shall not be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedule or any Updated Schedule, except as permitted pursuant to Section 5.7 hereof.
 
5.7          Disclosure Schedule.
 
(a)            Disclosure Schedule. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Seller is delivering to the Buyer the Disclosure Schedule. The Disclosure Schedule and any Updated Schedules delivered pursuant to Section 5.7(b) are deemed to constitute an integral part of this Agreement and to modify the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the Seller contained in this Agreement. If a document or matter is disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule or any Updated Schedule, it shall be deemed to be disclosed for all purposes of this Agreement without necessity of specific repetition or cross-reference; however, the inclusion of any item in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be construed as an indication of the materiality or lack of materiality of such item.
 
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(b)            Updates. From time to time prior to the Closing Date, the Seller shall supplement or amend the Disclosure Schedules (individually an “Updated Schedule” and collectively “Updated Schedules”) with respect to any matter which, if existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement, was or would have been required to be set forth or described in such Disclosure Schedule; provided however, that such supplement or amendment is being provided for informational purposes and (i) any such supplement or amendment relating to an event that occurs prior to the date of this Agreement may be considered a breach of the applicable representation, warranty and/or covenant and entitle Buyer to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(ii), but any such breach shall not survive the Closing should Buyer consummate the Closing; and (ii) any such supplement or amendment is not attributable to any breach by Seller of Section 5.2 hereof.
 
(c)             Notification. Prior to the Closing, the Buyer shall promptly inform the Seller in writing if the Buyer obtains actual knowledge that any representation or warranty of the Seller in this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule or an Updated Schedule (if any) hereto is not true and correct in all material respects, or if the Buyer obtains knowledge of any material errors in, or omissions from, the Disclosure Schedule or an Updated Schedule. The foregoing notice will not be deemed to have cured any breach of a representation or warranty of Seller which otherwise might have existed, but such breach shall not survive the Closing should Buyer elect to waive such breach and nevertheless proceed to consummate the Closing.
 
5.8           Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others.
 
(a)            From and after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall cause each of the Companies to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and to the extent provided by the Seller or a Company prior to Closing, the individuals who on or prior to the Closing Date were directors, managers, officers or employees of each of the Companies (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) with respect to all acts or omissions by them in their capacities as such. All rights of the Indemnitees to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Closing Date (including provisions respecting the advancement of expenses) as provided in the respective Governing Documents of each of the Companies as now in effect, and any indemnification agreements or arrangements of each of the Companies shall survive the Closing Date and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. For a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, such rights shall not be amended or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitees, unless such modification is required by Law. In addition, the Buyer shall cause each of the Companies to pay or advance any reasonable expenses of any Indemnitee under this Section 5.8 as incurred, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, provided that the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances to the extent required by applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any breach of a representation or warranty made by the Seller herein or any indemnification obligation owing by the Seller hereunder shall not be deemed for any reason to be a claim covered by indemnification or advancement of expenses owing to such Indemnitee under this Agreement, any Law, Governing Documents or other agreement whatsoever.
 
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(b)           The Buyer and the Indemnitee shall cooperate, and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate, in the defense of any claim and shall provide access to properties and individuals as reasonably requested and furnish or cause to be furnished records, information and testimony, and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials or appeals, as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith.
 
(c)            The Buyer shall reimburse Seller for $10,000 annually for six (6) years following the Closing Date for the cost of D&O insurance to be obtained to insure against D&O related covered wrongful acts occurring at the Companies prior to the Closing Date.
 
(d)           The provisions of this Section 5.8: (i) are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnitee, his or her heirs and his or her representatives; and (ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such person may have by contract or otherwise.
 
(e)            In the event that within the six (6) year period commencing immediately after the Closing Date, the Buyer, any of the Companies, or any of their successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made for the satisfaction of the Buyer’s obligations under this Section 5.8.
 
(f)             The obligations of the Buyer under this Section 5.8 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any Indemnitee to whom this Section 5.8 applies without the consent of the affected Indemnitee (it being expressly agreed that the Indemnitees to whom this Section 5.8 applies shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.8). Any Indemnitee may request proof from Buyer of the insurance required under this Section 5.8 at any time.
 
5.9           Retention of Records. The Buyer shall cause each of the Companies to retain all books and records relating to pre-Closing Tax, accounting or legal matters for a period of at least six (6) years from the Effective Time; provided, however, that at the end of such six (6) year period any such document or record may be disposed of by each of the Companies if such Company first offers to surrender possession thereof to the Seller. The Seller shall have the right during business hours, upon reasonable notice to the Buyer, to inspect and make copies of any such records for any reasonable purpose. The Seller shall retain all books and records relating to pre-Closing Tax, accounting or legal matters for a period of at least six (6) years from the Effective Time which relate to any Company and their operations; provided, however, that at the end of such six (6) year period any such document or record may be disposed of by the Seller if the Seller first offers to surrender possession thereof to the Buyer. The Buyer shall have the right during business hours, upon reasonable notice to the Seller, to inspect and make copies of any such records for any reasonable purpose.
 
5.10         Benefits. Seller and Buyer shall work together to split the Seller’s health, dental and vision plans and Seller’s stop loss insurance provided by Sun Life into separate plans, one for the Benefit of the U.S. Company employees and one for Seller and its Affiliate’s employees (the “Plan Split”). The Parties shall use commercial reasonable efforts to affect the Plan Split by February 28, 2015. Following the Plan Split, Buyer will maintain a health insurance plan for U.S. Companies' employees through December 31, 2015 that is substantially similar to Seller's health insurance plan as set forth on Schedule 3.19(a) with claims administered by UHC and stop loss insurance provided by Sun Life.
 
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5.11         Employee Benefit Plans.
 
(a)             401(k) Plan. Effective as of the Closing Date, the Buyer shall provide access to each of the U.S. Companies employees to the Buyer s existing retirement plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (the “Buyer Retirement Plan”). The Buyer shall credit or cause to be credited the service of each of the U.S. Companies employees with the U.S. Companies for purposes of eligibility and vesting under the Buyer Retirement Plan, subject to applicable Law.
 
(b)            Distribution of Retirement Accounts. The Seller shall retain its existing retirement plans (the “Seller Retirement Plans”). Buyer shall reimburse Seller for all amounts accrued at the Closing Date and subsequently paid by Seller with respect to 2015 401(k) match amounts (within 15 days of the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet), 2014 401(k) match true-up amounts, if any, (on or before March 15, 2015) and 2014 profit sharing contributions (on or before March 15, 2015). As soon as administratively practicable after the Closing Date, (i) the Seller shall cause the account balances of the Companies employees to be distributable and (ii) the Buyer shall cause each of Companies employees who were participants in the Seller Retirement Plans and who have an account balance under such Seller Retirement Plans to be permitted to elect a direct rollover of the account balance (including promissory notes evidencing outstanding plan loans) from the Seller Retirement Plans. The Buyer shall cause such transferred accounts and assets to be accepted by the Buyer Retirement Plan and its related trust.
 
(c)             Credit for Deductibles. The Buyer shall and shall cause each of the Companies to, recognize and give credit under their respective benefit plans for all amounts applied to deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, co-payments and other applicable benefit coverage limits with respect to expenses incurred by employees of each of the Companies under the Employee Benefit Plans for that portion of the calendar year remaining following the Closing Date.
 
(d)             Flexible Spending Accounts. Effective as of the Closing Date, the Buyer shall adopt for the benefit of the employees of each of the U.S. Companies a Code Section 125 Plan containing flexible spending accounts, shall credit all such employees with a balance (positive or negative) under such flexible spending accounts equal to the balance credited to each such employee under the flexible spending account of each of the U.S. Companies prior to the Closing Date, and shall reimburse each such employee for eligible expenses incurred during the plan year that had not previously been reimbursed under the applicable flexible spending account under the Employee Benefit Plans prior to the Closing Date. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, to the extent not reflected as a liability on each of the U.S. Companies books and records, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer the amount of the aggregate balances of the employees of the U.S. Company in the flexible spending accounts of each of the U.S. Companies prior to the Closing Date, if such amount is positive, and the Buyer shall pay the Seller the amount of such aggregate balances, if such amount is negative.
 
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(e)              Bonus Plans. On or before March 15, 2015, the Buyer shall pay in cash all amounts accrued on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet related to the TAKKT Bonus Programs to each Company participant in the TAKKT Bonus Programs in the amount accrued with respect to such participant; provided, that in the event that any of the Companies terminate the employment of any participant for Cause (as defined in the employment agreements), on or before March 15, 2015, the Buyer shall not be required to pay the amount accrued in respect of such participant unless the terms of the employee s employment agreement or applicable Law require the payment of such bonus.
 
(i)         Buyer will be solely responsible for the costs of any welfare benefits, including but not limited to vision, dental and health benefits, for the employees of each of the U.S. Companies after the Closing.
 
(ii)        As a limited accommodation to Buyer, Seller agrees to cover the employees of each of the U.S. Companies under the Seller s health, dental and vision plans on the same terms as those employees were covered by those plans prior to the Closing. The coverage provided to the employees of each of the U.S. Companies under each of such plans in this Section 5.11(e) shall commence on the Closing and shall continue until the effective date of each respective Plan Split (the “Coverage Period”) .
 
(iii)       Buyer agrees to reimburse Seller for the cost of providing coverage to the employees of each of the U.S. Companies (other than the Seller Employees) during the Coverage Period pursuant to Section 5.11(e)(ii). For this purpose, the cost of providing coverage to the employees of each of the U.S. Companies shall mean: (a) the cost of payments made by the Seller s plans for claims incurred by the employees of each of the U.S. Companies during the Coverage Period which are not reimbursed by insurance, (b) the cost of any stop loss or other similar insurance for the employees of each of the U.S. Companies, (c) the reasonable cost of a third party administering the Seller s plans with respect to the employees of each of the U.S. Companies, and (d) the portion of, or increase in, any government-imposed penalty or fee, including but not limited to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research fee (under 26 U.S.C. § 4376) or the reinsurance contribution (under 45 C.F.R. § 153.400), attributable to the Seller s provision of coverage for the employees of each of the U.S. Companies during the Coverage Period. Buyer shall pay Seller the sums due hereunder in immediately available U.S. funds within five (5) business days after receipt of Seller s written demand therefor, which demand shall include, for payments described in (a) above, substantiation from the third party administrator of Seller s plans of the amounts claimed in the same form as is provided by such administrator to Seller and, for payments described in (b), (c), and (d) above, reasonable substantiation of the amounts paid. If payment of any sum due hereunder is not received within fifteen (15) days following receipt of Seller s written demand therefor, the sum due shall bear interest until paid at the annual rate of nine percent (9%) or the highest non-usurious rate chargeable under the laws of the State of Delaware, whichever is lower.
 
(iv)       The coverage being made available to the employees of each of the U.S. Companies under the Seller s plans pursuant to this Section 5.11(e) shall terminate on the last day of the Coverage Period, and Seller shall have no obligation to provide any coverage under Seller s plans beyond such date or to provide any additional or other coverage. Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold Seller harmless from and against any and all claims, actions, proceedings, damages, losses, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) suffered or incurred by Seller as a result of Seller s provision of coverage under Seller s plans to any employee of the U.S. Companies or the non-availability of coverage under Seller s plans after the Coverage Period, unless any such claim, action, proceeding, damage, loss, liability or expense results from Seller s negligence, willful misconduct or intentional fraud. Buyer s payment obligations under this Section 5.11(e) and indemnity obligations under this Section 5.11(e) shall survive the termination of the Agreement.
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(v)       Nothing in this Section 5.11(e) shall be deemed to create a post-Closing employer-employee, fiduciary or contractual relationship between Seller and any employee of the U.S. Companies who is provided with coverage under the Seller s plans during the Coverage Period.
 
(vi)       No provision is intended to be an amendment to any employee benefit plan maintained by the Seller or any of the Companies and this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
 
5.12         Tax Matters. The following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility as between the Buyer and the Seller for certain Tax matters following the Closing Date.
 
(a)             Tax Liability. The Seller shall be responsible for (i) all Taxes (or the non-payment thereof) of the Companies for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods, (ii) all Taxes of any member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, or unitary group of which any Company (or any predecessor) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, including pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 under the Code or any analogous or similar Law, and (iii) any and all Taxes of any Person imposed on any Company as a transferee or successor, by contract or pursuant to any Law which Taxes relate to an event or transaction occurring on or before the Closing Date. The Buyer shall be responsible for all other Taxes of the Companies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Seller shall not be responsible for any Taxes (including without limitation value added Taxes, sales and use Taxes, GST, CST, payroll Taxes, real and personal property Taxes for any Real Property or personal property, including the Milwaukee Property, and Ohio CAT Tax), to the extent of the amount such Taxes were accrued on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet. Seller retains all income Tax liability for Pre-Closing Tax Periods, which will not be accrued on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet.
 
(b)             Straddle Period. For purposes of this Agreement, in the case of any Taxes that are payable with respect to any Tax period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date (a “Straddle Period”), the portion of any such Taxes that constitutes Pre-Closing Taxes shall: (a) in the case of Taxes that are either (i) based upon or related to, income, receipts, payroll or other items of operating income or expense, or (ii) imposed in connection with any sale, transfer or assignment or any deemed sale, transfer or assignment of property (real or personal, tangible or intangible), be deemed equal to the amount that would be payable if the Tax year or period ended on the Closing Date; and (b) in the case of Taxes (other than those described in clause (a) above) that are imposed on a periodic basis or otherwise measured by the level of any item, be deemed to be the amount of such Taxes for the entire Straddle Period (or, in the case of such Taxes determined on an arrears basis, the amount of such Taxes for the immediately preceding Tax period) multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of calendar days in the portion of the Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of calendar days in the entire Straddle Period. For purposes of clause (a) of the preceding sentence, any exemption, deduction, credit or other item (including, without limitation, the effect of any graduated rates of Tax) that is calculated on an annual basis shall be allocated to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date on a pro rata basis determined by multiplying the total amount of such item allocated to the Straddle Period times a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days in the portion of the Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of calendar days in the entire Straddle Period.
 
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(c)             Tax Returns Filed after the Closing Date. The Buyer shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns for the Companies due after the Closing Date, including those relating to periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date which are required to be filed after the Closing Date. In respect of Tax Returns of the Companies for periods ending on or before the Closing Date or for Straddle Periods, the Buyer shall provide the Seller with such Tax Returns, along with an allocation of the portion of such Taxes shown on such Tax Return that are attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the due date thereof, for the Seller s review, comment, and approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. The Seller shall reimburse the Buyer for any Taxes attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period. The Buyer will not amend, and will not permit any Company to amend, any Tax Returns that relate to any Pre-Closing Tax Periods without the written consent of the Seller, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event of a dispute between the Buyer and the Seller with respect to the Tax Returns described herein, such dispute shall be submitted to the Independent Accountants for final resolution and such dispute shall be administered in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.4. Upon resolution of all disputed items, the relevant Tax Return shall be adjusted to reflect such resolution and shall be binding upon the Buyer and the Seller without further adjustment.
 
(d)            Audits.
 
(i)         If the Buyer or any Company receives any written notice from a Taxing authority of any examination, investigation, audit or other proceeding in respect of any Tax Return for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, including any Straddle Period (an “Audit Notice”), the Buyer will provide or cause to be provided to the Seller a copy of such Audit Notice within ten (10) business days of the Buyer or such Company receiving such Audit Notice and, further, if any Taxing authority issues to the Buyer or any Company a written notice of deficiency, a written notice of reassessment, a written proposed adjustment, or a written assertion of claim or demand concerning a Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period (each of the foregoing for which written notice is received, a “Proposed Deficiency”), the Buyer or such Company shall notify the Seller of its receipt of such communication from the Taxing authority within five (5) business days after receiving such notice of Proposed Deficiency.
 
(ii)        The Seller shall control any examination, investigation, audit, or other proceeding, including any proceeding with respect to, or the defense of, a Proposed Deficiency (each, a “Tax Proceeding”) at its sole cost and expense in respect of any Pre-Closing Tax Period of any Company, provided that the Buyer and any Company shall have the right to participate in such Tax Proceeding at the Buyer s or such Company s sole cost and expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer shall control at its sole cost and expense any Tax Proceeding in respect of any Straddle Period of such Company, provided that the Seller shall have the right to participate in such Tax Proceeding at its sole cost and expense. The Seller shall not agree to any settlement of, or entry of any judgment arising from, any Tax Proceeding which it controls without the prior written consent of the Buyer if such settlement or entry of judgment would be reasonably expected to increase the Buyer s or any Company s liability for Taxes hereunder, and the Buyer shall not agree to any settlement of, or entry of any judgment arising from, any Tax Proceeding which it controls without the prior written consent of the Seller if such settlement or entry of judgment would be reasonably expected to increase the Seller s liability for Taxes hereunder. When deemed appropriate by the Seller, the Buyer shall cause the Companies to authorize by appropriate powers of attorney such Persons as the Seller shall designate to represent Companies with respect to any Tax Proceeding that the Seller has the right to control pursuant to this Section 5.12(d), it being agreed that such powers of attorney shall be limited to only authorize such Persons to represent the Companies with respect to any Tax Proceeding.
 
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(e)             Cooperation on Tax Matters. The Buyer and the Seller agree to fully cooperate with each other and to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, and each at their own expense, as promptly as practicable, such information (including access to books and records) and assistance, including making employees, agents, auditors and representatives available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanations of any material provided, relating to any Company as is reasonably necessary for the preparation or filing of any Tax Return (including any amended Tax Return) or election in respect thereof, for the preparation for any audit, and for the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit or proceeding relating to any adjustment or proposed adjustment with respect to Taxes. The Buyer and the Seller agree to retain, or cause to be retained, all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Companies relating to any Tax period beginning on or prior to the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Taxes (and, to the extent notified by the Buyer or the Seller, any extension thereof). The Buyer and the Seller further agree, upon request, to use their reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Taxing authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).
 
(f)              Tax Refunds and Credits; Tax Benefits. All refunds of Taxes or credits in lieu of refunds of Taxes (including interest thereon) attributable to Pre-Closing Tax Periods (including the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period) shall be for the account of the Seller, except to the extent such refunds or credits: (i) were included in Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, (ii) are attributable to an audit adjustment to the extent that the Buyer, the Companies or an Affiliate is caused to suffer a corresponding increase in Tax as a result of such adjustment, or (iii) are attributable to the carryback of a loss, credit or other Tax attribute from a Taxable period (including the portion of any Straddle Period) that ends after the Closing Date. Any such amounts shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller within five (5) business days of receipt or crediting.
 
(g)             Transfer Taxes. All sales, use, transfer, documentary, stamp or other similar Taxes payable as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be split equally between the Parties.
 
(h)            Payments Related to Taxes. Any payments with respect to Taxes made by the Seller to the Buyer, or made by the Buyer to the Seller, pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as an adjustment to the consideration paid and received for the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity.
 
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(i)             Buyer shall take no action outside of the ordinary course of business related to any Company on the Closing Date, such as a merger or other event that may cause an adverse tax impact to Seller and its Affiliates on the Closing Date.
 
5.13         Escheatment Cooperation.
 
(a)            The Buyer and the Seller agree to fully cooperate with each other and to furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, and each at their own expense, as promptly as practicable, such information (including access to books and records) and assistance, including making employees, agents, auditors and representatives available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanations of any material provided, relating to any Company as is reasonably necessary for the preparation or filing of any Escheatment Payment filing (including any amendment of any filing that has previously been made with any state), and for the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit or proceeding relating to any adjustment or proposed adjustment with respect to Escheatment Payments. The Buyer and the Seller agree to retain, or cause to be retained, all books and records with respect to Escheatment Payment matters pertinent to the Companies relating to any period beginning on or prior to the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Escheatment Payments (and, to the extent notified by the Buyer or the Seller, any extension thereof). The Buyer and the Seller further agree, upon request, to use their reasonable efforts to obtain any document from any authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Escheatment Payment that could be imposed; and
 
(b)            Seller shall have the right to assume the defense of any claims that relate to Escheatment Payments.
 
5.14          Indebtedness. The Companies will satisfy all Indebtedness prior to the Closing or out of the transaction proceeds.
 
5.15         Insurance. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Buyer and each of the Companies shall be responsible for obtaining replacement insurance policies for each of the Companies. The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that neither the Seller nor its Affiliates shall have any obligation to provide any insurance of any kind to any Company after the Closing Date. Any coverage provided by Seller and its Affiliates or Franz Haniel & Cie GmbH shall terminate on the Closing Date.
 
5.16         Conflicts and Privilege. The Buyer acknowledges that Quarles & Brady LLP, Cannizzo and Stikeman represent the interests of the Seller in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Buyer hereby agrees that, in the event a dispute arises after the Closing between the Buyer and the Seller, Quarles & Brady LLP, Cannizzo and Stikeman may represent the Seller in such dispute even though the interests of the Seller may be directly adverse to the Buyer or to any of the Companies, and even though Quarles & Brady LLP, Cannizzo and Stikeman may have represented any of the Companies in a matter substantially related to such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Buyer or any of the Companies. The Buyer further agrees that, as to all communications among Quarles & Brady LLP, Cannizzo, Stikeman, any of the Companies and the Seller that relate in any way to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the attorney-client privilege and the expectation of client confidence belongs to the Seller and may be controlled by the Seller, and shall not pass to or be claimed or controlled by the Buyer or any of the Companies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a dispute arises between the Buyer or any of the Companies and a party other than a Party to this Agreement after the Closing, any Company may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent disclosure of confidential communications by Quarles & Brady LLP, Cannizzo and Stikeman to such third party; provided, however, that the Buyer or such Company may not waive such privilege without the prior written consent of the Seller.
 
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5.17         Non-competition; Non-solicitation.
 
(a)           For a period of two (2) years commencing on the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”) other than in respect of a Permitted Business, the Seller shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in or assist others in engaging in the Business in the Territory; (ii) have an interest in any Person that engages directly or indirectly in the Business in the Territory in any capacity, including as a partner, shareholder, member, employee, principal, agent, trustee, investor, consultant or otherwise; or (iii) intentionally interfere in any material respect with the Business relationships (whether formed prior to or after the date of this Agreement) between any Company and customers or suppliers of such Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, up to two (2%) percent of the capital stock of any corporation required to file reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any Person the securities of which are listed on a recognized stock exchange.
 
(b)           During the Restricted Period, the Seller shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates in the Territory to, directly or indirectly, hire or solicit any employee of any Company or the Buyer or encourage any such employee to leave such employment or hire any such employee who has left such employment, except pursuant to a general solicitation which is not directed specifically to any such employees.
 
(c)            During the Restricted Period, Seller shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, solicit or entice, or attempt to solicit or entice, any customers of the Company for purposes of diverting their Business from any Company regarding any of the products and services comprising the Business as conducted on the Closing Date. The foregoing prohibition shall not prevent Seller or any Seller Affiliate from (i) soliciting business from any Person who or which purchased a product or service from Seller or such Seller Affiliates, as applicable, before the Closing Date, (ii) offering any product or service for sale on any website, (iii) mailing a catalog to any Person on any mailing list acquired or leased after the Closing Date from an independent third party, or (iv) mailing a catalog to any Person in response to a request from the Person for a catalog.
 
(d)            The Seller acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach of this Section 5.17 would give rise to irreparable harm to the Buyer, for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy, and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by the Seller of any such obligations, the Buyer shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to it in respect of such breach, be entitled to equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction (without any requirement to post bond).
 
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(e)            The Seller acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 5.17 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Buyer and constitute a material inducement to the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that any covenant contained in this Section 5.17 should ever be adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, product or service, or other limitations permitted by applicable Law in any jurisdiction, then any court is expressly empowered to reform such covenant, and such covenant shall be deemed reformed, in such jurisdiction to the maximum time, geographic, product or service, or other limitations permitted by applicable Law. The covenants contained in this Section 5.17 and each provision hereof are severable and distinct covenants and provisions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any such covenant or provision as written shall not invalidate or render unenforceable the remaining covenants or provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such covenant or provision in any other jurisdiction.
 
(f)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 5.17(a) and 5.17(c) does not prevent the Seller or any of its Affiliates within the Office Equipment Group or the Specialty Products Group, as applicable, from the following “Permitted Business” (i) marketing, selling or advertising any product line Seller and any such Affiliate within such product group, as applicable, is marketing, selling or advertising as of the Closing Date, including without limitation any product line sold in its Office Equipment Group (consisting of National Business Furniture and its Affiliates) such as office accessories, av equipment, janitorial and sanitary supplies, ergonomic solutions, furniture and equipment (including without limitation mats, storage, waste receptacles, wire shelving, carts, stands, stools) and including without limitation any product line in its Specialty Products Group (consisting of Hubert, Central Restaurants and George Patton Associates and their Affiliates) such as point of sale and display lines, apparel, equipment (including wooden and stainless tables), customer convenience (including crowd control, first aid security, and loss prevention items), maintenance and back room supplies (including break room supplies, janitorial and sanitary supplies, storage materials and racks, floor maintenance, hoses, carts, racks, shelving, waste containers, mats), furniture (stacking chairs and tables), and food service, grocery and restaurant supply and restaurant equipment product lines; or, (ii) marketing, selling or advertising the product or service of any business that Seller or any of its Affiliates acquires after the date hereof, provided that less than 10% of the acquired business’ product line competes with the Business and provided that the product or service was marketed, advertised or sold by the acquired business at the time of the acquisition; or (iii) marketing, selling or advertising any product that does not compete with the Business.
 
5.18          Transfer of Milwaukee Property. On or prior to the Closing Date, C&H Distributors shall transfer to the Seller or its Affiliates by quit-claim deed all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Milwaukee Property on such terms as the Seller and C&H Distributors agree.
 
5.19          Closing Conditions. From the date hereof until the Closing, the Seller shall, and the Seller shall cause each Company to, use reasonable efforts to take such actions as are necessary to expeditiously satisfy the closing conditions set forth in Article VI and to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition from the date hereof until the Closing, the Seller shall not, and the Seller shall cause each Company, to not breach any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement.
 
5.20         Management Reports. During the period between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer, within fifteen (15) days after the end of the relevant period monthly profit and loss account, balance sheet and management reports, in the form currently used, for each of the Companies.
 
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5.21         Related Party Transactions. On or prior to the Closing Date Balance Sheet, the Seller shall repay, set off, waive, terminate or otherwise eliminate all related party transactions set forth on Schedule 5.21 (collectively, “Related Party Transactions.”
 
5.22          Intercompany Indebtedness.
 
(a)            The parties agree that there may be balances among the Companies at the Effective Time; provided that the Seller agrees that such balances on the Closing Date Balance Sheet and Final Closing Date Balance Sheet on a consolidated basis shall net to $0;
 
(b)            As part of the settlement of the intercompany indebtedness, the parties agree that the accruals for audit and tax fees payable to CliftonLarson will be transferred to the books of Seller. As part of the settlement of the intercompany indebtedness, the parties agree that the accruals for income taxes payable on the books of the Companies will be transferred to the books of Seller;
 
(c)            The Seller shall procure that all intercompany indebtedness among any Company on the one hand and Seller and its Affiliates (other than any Company) is settled on the Closing Date Balance Sheet and Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, including without limitation Non-Ordinary Course Receivables (other than Ordinary Course Receivables) and Non-Ordinary Course Payables (other than Ordinary Course Payables); provided that Seller shall receive credit for any Cash on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet.
 
(d)            The Buyer acknowledges that it is not to be paid any of the intercompany balances other than Ordinary Course Receivables and Ordinary Course Payables, if any, on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet from the Seller and its Affiliates. The Seller and its Affiliates are not obligated to pay any of the Companies, the Buyer and their Affiliates for the intercompany payables on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, other than Ordinary Course Payables and Ordinary Course Receivables.
 
5.23          Release of Guarantees. Both on or prior to the Closing Date and following the Closing Date, the parties shall take all necessary actions to remove the Seller and its Affiliates from all guarantees or similar obligations of the Companies, including without limitation those that have been disclosed to Buyer in a Schedule 5.23 hereto, but Buyer shall not take any action with respect to any letters of credit.
 
5.24         Quad Agreement. Buyer and each Company shall take all actions necessary to cause such Company to comply from the Closing Date through December 31, 2015 with the Print Agreement by and between Seller and Quad/Graphics, Inc., dated July 26, 2006, as amended, including without limitation, exclusively purchasing ink and production services including platemaking/cylinder engraving, printing, binding, mailing, and packaging and loading for shipment of such Company s titles or programs as well as exclusively purchasing the paper for such Company s catalog work from Quad/Graphics, Inc.
 
5.25          Current Employees. Buyer assumes, and agrees to indemnify and defend Seller for all Liabilities, including all payments, fines and penalties under the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. §2101 et seq., and corresponding state or local laws (collectively, “WARN”), resulting from Buyer’s failure to provide any required notices under WARN to such employees.
 
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5.26         Employment Records. For the TAKKT and Avenue employees listed in Schedule 5.26, Seller shall keep and maintain possession of their personnel and employment files and records. To the extent any such records (in whatever format) remain in the possession of any of the Companies subsequent to Closing, Buyer agrees to promptly return to Seller, upon written request by Seller, such records, including originals and copies thereof. Buyer acknowledges that such records are the property of Seller.
 
5.27         Merchants. Buyer and Seller shall work together to obtain five new merchant IDs for each of the U.S. Companies and Avenue with Paymentech, LLC (collectively, the “Merchant IDs”). In addition, Seller shall provide Cybersource each of the Merchant IDs and shall cause Cybersource to test and confirm with Paymentech, LLC the authorization and settlement process for each of Merchant IDs.
 
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE BUYER S OBLIGATIONS
 
Each and every obligation of the Buyer to be performed on the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing of each of the following conditions:
 
6.1           Representations and Warranties True on the Closing Date. Each of the
representations and warranties made by the Seller in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect) or in all respects (in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, at and as of the time of the Closing, as if made on the Closing Date and the Closing Date was substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout such representations and warranties, except for any variances caused by actions taken or omitted as permitted by Section 5.2.
 
6.2           Compliance With Agreement. The Seller shall have in all material respects
performed and complied with all of the agreements and obligations under this Agreement which are to be performed or complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date.
 
6.3           Absence of Litigation. No action or proceeding may be pending before any
Governmental Entity in which an unfavorable judgment, decree, injunction or order would prevent the consummation of the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereby. No injunction or restraining order shall have been issued by any Governmental Entity and be in effect which restricts or prohibits any material transaction anticipated hereby.
 
6.4           Consents and Approvals. All approvals, consents and waivers that are listed on
Schedule 3.5 and/or Schedule 3.8 shall have been received, and executed counterparts thereof shall have been delivered to the Buyer at or prior to the Closing.
 
6.5           Employment of Executives. Each of David McKeon, Michael Snapper, and Nelson Rivers shall be employed by the applicable Company at Closing.
 
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6.6           Material Adverse Effect. From the date of this Agreement and until the Closing, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, provided, however, that a Market Break shall not be deemed a Material Adverse Effect for purposes of this condition unless substantially all of the public equity markets in the U.S. are closed for a continuous period of not less than two business days after the target closing date.
 
6.7           Related Party Transactions. All Related Party Transactions shall have been repaid, set off, waived, terminated or otherwise eliminated, except as expressly agreed to by the Buyer in writing and set forth on Schedule 5.21.
 
6.8          Documents to be Delivered by the Seller. At the Closing, the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer the following documents, in each case duly executed or otherwise in proper form:
 
(a)             Instruments of Transfer. (i) Duly executed assignments separate from certificates, (ii) stock certificates and share certificates, free and clear of all Liens, duly endorsed in blank for transfer or accompanied by stock powers or irrevocable security transfer powers of attorney or other instruments of transfer duly executed in blank, in either case by the holder of record with all required stock transfer tax stamps affixed thereto, and (iii) any other certificates, documents and instruments of transfer and conveyance duly endorsed or executed by the Seller, as the case may be, representing the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity or evidencing the transfer of the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity .
 
(b)             Compliance Certificate. A certificate signed by the Seller that each of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 have been satisfied.
 
(c)             Liens. A release and termination of each Lien on any Company asset which is not a Permitted Lien.
 
(d)             Transition Services Agreement. The Transition Services Agreement signed by the Seller and each of the Companies.
 
(e)             Good Standing Certificates. A good standing certificate (or its equivalent) for each of the Companies from the secretary of state or similar Governmental Entity of the jurisdiction under the Laws in which such Company is organized.
 
(f)              Resignations. Resignations of the directors and officers of each of the Companies (but any officers of any of the Companies who are also employees of such Company need not resign from their employment with such Company or provide such release).
 
(g)            C&H Productos. Meeting minutes reflecting (i) the approval of the sale of the Mexican Purchased Equity by the Buyer and the admission of the Buyer as a partner to C&H Productos, (ii) resignations of the board members and appointment of a new board selected by the Buyer and provided to the Seller in writing, (iii) revocations of any powers of attorney and granting of new powers of attorney, and (iv) the Release. Likewise, copies, certified by the secretary of the board of directors or the board of managers, as applicable, of C&H Productos, of the notation in the registry book of C&H Productos evidencing the transfer of the Mexican Purchased Equity in favor of the Buyer, free of any Liens.
 
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(h)            Resolutions. A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or equivalent) of each Company authorizing and approving the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any closing documents to be entered into by such Company.
 
(i)              Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agreement signed by the Seller and the Escrow Agent.
 
(j)              Other Documents. Such other documents or instruments as the Buyer reasonably requests and are reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(k)              Letter. An irrevocable instruction letter executed by the Company directing JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA to terminate the cash sweep of the bank accounts of the U.S. Companies as of the end of the day on the Closing Date, and a confirmation executed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA accepting such instruction.
 
(l)              JP Morgan Chase. A release and termination of the guarantees made by the Companies executed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA.
 
(m)             Milwaukee Office Lease. The Milwaukee Office Lease signed by the Seller.
 
(n)            Websites. To the extent not previously transferred, Seller will transfer the URL and content of the websites for IS.com , Productos and PFI to one of the Companies.
 
6.9           Cybersource. Seller shall cause Cybersource to successfully test (in connection with Paymentech, LLC) the authorization and settlement process for each of the new Merchant IDs. Seller and Buyer together shall initiate the request to use each of the new Merchant IDs on the appropriate date (to coincide with the Closing Date).
 
6.10          Corporate Minute Books and Stock Records. The Seller shall have delivered the original corporate minute books, corporate seals and stock records of each Company to the Buyer.
 
6.11         Bank Accounts. The signatories to the bank accounts listed in Schedule 3.13 shall have been changed to the Buyer s satisfaction.
 
6.12          Seller Employees. All employees that perform services for Seller and are set forth on Schedule 6.12, but are employed as of the date hereof by C&H Distributors, shall be transferred to Seller and will no longer be employees of C&H Distributors (the “Seller Employees”).
 
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE SELLER S OBLIGATIONS
 
Each and every obligation of the Seller to be performed on the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing of each of the following conditions:
 
7.1          Representations and Warranties True on the Closing Date. Each of the
representations and warranties made by the Buyer in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the time of the Closing as if made on the Closing Date and the Closing Date was substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout such representations and warranties.
 
7.2           Compliance With Agreement. The Buyer shall have performed and complied in
all respects with its obligations under Section 2.3 hereof and shall have performed and complied in all material respects with its other agreements and obligations under this Agreement which are to be performed or complied with by it prior to or on the Closing Date.
 
7.3           Absence of Litigation. No action or proceeding may be pending before any
Governmental Entity in which an unfavorable judgment, decree, injunction or order would prevent the consummation of the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereby. No injunction or restraining order shall have been issued by any Governmental Entity and be in effect which restricts or prohibits any material transaction anticipated hereby.
 
7.4          Documents to be Delivered by the Buyer. At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver
to the Seller the following documents, in each case duly executed or otherwise in proper form:
 
(a)             Compliance Certificates. A certificate signed by the Buyer that each of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 have been satisfied.
 
(b)             Certified Resolutions. A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Buyer authorizing and approving this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(c)             Release. The Release signed by the Buyer.
 
(d)             Transition Services Agreement. The Transition Services Agreement signed by the Buyer.
 
(e)             Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agreement signed by the Buyer.
 
(f)              Milwaukee Office Lease. The Milwaukee Office Lease signed by the Buyer.
 
(g)             C&H Productos. Meeting minutes reflecting (i) resignations of the board members and appointment of a new board, (ii) revocations of any powers of attorney and granting of new powers of attorney, and (iii) the Release.
 
(h)            Sublease . A sublease of Avenue’s Canadian leased property for three months for the three employees of Seller’s Affiliate;
 
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(i)              Good Standing Certificate. A good standing certificate (or its equivalent) for the Buyer from the secretary of state or similar Governmental Entity of the jurisdiction under the Laws in which it is organized.
 
(j)              Other Documents. Such other documents or instruments as the Seller reasonably requests and are reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE VIII
SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION
 
8.1           Survival. All of the representations and warranties of the Parties made in this Agreement shall survive for a period of twelve (12) months after the Closing Date and thereafter be of no further force or effect; provided, the representations and warranties in Section 3.15 (Compliance With Laws) and Section 3.22 (Brokerage) shall survive for a period of two years after the Closing Date; (b) Sections 3.1 (Seller Organization and Power); 3.2 (Purchased Equity); 3.7(b)-(g) (Organizational Matters; Equity) shall survive for a period of five years after the Closing Date; (c) Section 3.19 (Employee Benefit Plans) shall survive for a period of six years after the Closing Date; (d) Section 3.20 (Environmental Matters) shall survive for a period of ten years after the Closing Date ; and (e) Section 3.10 (Tax Matters) shall survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof) plus 60 days. All covenants and agreements of the Seller contained herein shall survive the Closing for the period explicitly specified therein or if not specified therein two (2) years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such expiration will not affect a Party s rights and obligations as to any valid claim asserted prior to such date.
 
8.2           General Indemnification by the Seller.
 
(a)            General. Subject to the provisions of this Article VIII, the Seller agrees to indemnify the Buyer and hold the Buyer and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives harmless from and against any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Buyer and its Affiliates, with respect to or by reason of:
 
(i)        Any breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by the Seller and contained in this Agreement; or
 
(ii)        Any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Seller under this Agreement.
 
(b)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Buyer shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.2(a)(i) or (ii):
 
(i)         In connection with any claim for indemnification hereunder whereby the Buyer or any of the Companies has already recovered at the time of making the indemnity claim from a third party (including any insurance provider);
 
(ii)        With respect to any Loss that is set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, an Updated Schedule or reflected in the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet, including any accruals or reserves included in the determination thereof;
 
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(iii)       In connection with any claim for indemnification based upon a claim, assessment or deficiency for any Tax which arises from adjustments having the effect only of shifting income, credits and/or deductions from one fiscal period to another;
 
(iv)       To the extent of the value of any net Tax benefit realized (by reason of a Tax deduction, basis reductions, shifting of income, credits and/or deductions or otherwise) by the Buyer or any of the Companies in connection with the Loss that forms the basis of the Buyer s claim for indemnification hereunder;
 
(v)        For any amounts for which it has already been paid; i.e. the Buyer is not entitled to recover more than once for any Loss;
 
(vi)       To the extent of any actual recovery from any third Person in respect of such indemnifiable Loss;
 
(vii)      With respect to any claim for indemnification under Section 8.2(a), unless the Buyer has given the Seller written notice of such claim, setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances pertaining thereto, (A) as soon as practicable following the Buyer s discovery of such claim, but in no event later than twenty days after Buyer has notice, unless the failure to give notice does not adversely affect Seller s ability to mitigate such Losses and (B) with respect to a claim under Section 8.2(a)(i), prior to the applicable date set forth in Section 8.1;
 
(viii)     To the extent of any insurance proceeds actually received by the Buyer or any of the Companies in connection with the facts giving rise to such indemnification;
 
(ix)       If and only if the Closing occurs, if the existence of such liability, the breach of representation, warranty or covenant or the falsity of the representation upon which such liability would be based is known by the Buyer prior to the Closing; and
 
(x)        With respect to any claim as to which the Buyer otherwise may be entitled to indemnification hereunder:
 
(A)         For any Losses of less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) individually or when aggregated with Losses arising out of or are related to the same event or circumstance;
 
(B)          Until such Losses exceed one (1) percent of the Purchase Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.4 (the “Basket”), in which event the Seller shall be liable for all such Losses from the first Dollar of Losses; and
 
(C)          For any Losses in excess of 15% percent of the Purchase Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.4 (the Cap ).
 
(c)            Notwithstanding Section 8.2(b)(x), the Cap and the Basket would not apply to Losses related to the following, and any such Losses would be capped at the Purchase Price and indemnifiable from the first Dollar of Loss: (i) breaches of Sections 3.1 (Seller Organization and Power); 3.2 (Purchased Equity); 3.7(b)-(g) (Organizational Matters; Equity); 3.10 (Tax Matters); 3.22 (Brokerage); 5.12 (Tax Matters) or 5.17 (Non-Competition; Non-  solicitation); (ii) any liability for Taxes of any Company based on matters and activities that occurred prior to the Closing Date; (iii) any Environmental Claims at the 770 S. 70th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin property arising out of actions or omissions by any Company occurring prior to the Closing Date; (iv) any liability of any Company to any appropriate Governmental Entity (in excess of the accrual on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet) related to any Escheatment Payment paid, required to be paid or that should have been paid prior to the Closing Date and/or based on matters and activities of any Company that occurred prior to the Closing Date (notwithstanding any disclosure thereof in the Disclosure Schedules); (v) any liability of Buyer or any Company with respect to the Seller s Employees; (vi) any and all Taxes imposed on any Company that arises out of the disposition of the property at 770 S. 70th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
 
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8.3          Indemnification by the Buyer.
 
(a)            Subject to the provisions of this Article VIII, the Buyer agrees to indemnify the Seller and hold the Seller harmless (and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any persons adversely affected by the Buyer s failure to comply with Section 5.8 of this Agreement) from and against, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Seller (or such persons), with respect to or by reason of:
 
(i)         Any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer as of the Closing;
 
(ii)        Any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Buyer under this Agreement; or
 
(iii)       Any breach by the Buyer of its responsibilities pursuant to Section 5.11.
 
(b)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Seller shall not be entitled to indemnification with respect to a claim for indemnification under Section 8.3(a) unless the Seller has given the Buyer written notice of such claim, setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances pertaining thereto, unless the failure to give notice does not adversely affect the Buyer s ability to mitigate such Losses.
 
8.4          Procedures for Indemnification.
 
(a)            If an Indemnified Party shall claim to have suffered a Loss for which indemnification is available under Section 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be (for purposes of this Section 8.4, regardless of whether such Indemnified Party is entitled to receive a payment in respect of such claim by virtue of Section 8.2(b)(viii)), the Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing unless the failure to give notice does not adversely affect the Indemnifying Party s ability to mitigate such Losses, which written notice shall describe the nature of such claim, the facts and circumstances that give rise to such claim and the amount of such claim if reasonably ascertainable at the time such claim is made (or if not then reasonably ascertainable, the maximum amount of such claim reasonably estimated by the Indemnified Party). In the event that within forty-five (45) days after the receipt by the Indemnifying Party of such a written notice from the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party shall not have received from the Indemnifying Party a written objection to such claim, such claim shall be conclusively presumed and considered to have been assented to and approved by the Indemnifying Party following receipt by the Indemnifying Party of a written notice from the Indemnified Party to such effect.
 
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(b)            If within the forty-five (45) day period described in paragraph (a) above the Indemnified Party shall have received from the Indemnifying Party a notice setting forth the Indemnifying Party s objections to such claim and the Indemnifying Party s reasons for such objection, then the Parties shall follow the procedures set forth in Article X below with respect to the resolution of such matter.
 
8.5           Procedures for Third-Party Claims.
 
(a)             Any Indemnified Party seeking indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII in respect of any Third-Party Claim shall give the Indemnifying Party from whom indemnification with respect to such claim is sought (i) prompt written notice (but in no event more than fifteen (15) days after the Indemnified Party acquires knowledge thereof) of such Third-Party Claim and (ii) copies of all documents and information relating to any such Third-Party Claim within fifteen (15) days of their being obtained by the Indemnified Party; provided, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to so notify or provide copies to the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability to the Indemnified Party for any liability hereunder except to the extent that such failure shall have prejudiced the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
 
(b)            The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, at its option, and expense, to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Third-Party Claim with respect to which it is the Indemnifying Party and to be represented by counsel of its own choice, and the Indemnified Party will not admit any liability with respect thereto or settle, compromise, pay or discharge the same without the consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, so long as the Indemnifying Party is contesting or defending the same with reasonable diligence and in good faith; provided, that the Indemnified Party may participate in any proceeding with counsel of its choice and at its expense; provided further, that the Indemnifying Party may enter into a settlement of any such Third-Party Claim, other than Third Party Claims that impose an injunction or other equitable relief upon the Indemnified Party or could have an adverse effect on Companies business, operations, assets or financial condition.
 
8.6           Right to Cure; Mitigation. With respect to any claim that a party has breached a representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation made by it in or pursuant to this Agreement, such party shall be provided with a reasonable opportunity to cure such breach before such party is required to provide indemnification to the other party with respect to such matter. Each Indemnified Party must take and must cause their respective affiliates to take all reasonable steps to mitigate and otherwise minimize the Losses to the maximum extent reasonably possible upon and after becoming aware of any event or circumstances which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Losses, including without limitation using reasonable efforts to collect available insurance proceeds and to pursue recoveries against Persons other than the Indemnifying Party. In addition, the Buyer must cause each of the Companies to maintain following the Closing insurance coverages appropriate to each of the respective business activities.
 
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8.7           Tax Treatment of Indemnification. The Buyer and the Seller agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to this Article VIII as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for all Tax purposes.
 
8.8           Exclusive Remedy. THE RIGHTS OF INDEMNITY PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE VIII ARE THE PARTIES’ SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY ABSENT COMMON LAW FRAUD OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION OF MATERIAL FACTS WHICH CONSTIUTE COMMON LAW FRAUD AFTER THE EFFECTIVE TIME RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS OF INDEMNITY OR CONTRIBUTION, WHETHER CREATED BY LAW OR OTHERWISE, ARE HEREBY WAIVED; PROVIDED, THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT PROHIBIT A PARTY FROM SEEKING INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR OTHER EQUITABLE REMEDIES IN THE EVENT OF A BREACH OF SECTIONS 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 11.1, 11.14 OR ARTICLE X HEREOF.
 
8.9           LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION TO
THE CONTRARY HEREIN, AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, LOST PROFITS, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM ASSERTED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE VIII PROVIDED FURTHER THAT AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER UNDER A “MULTIPLE OF PROFITS,” “MULTIPLE OF CASH FLOW,” “MULTIPLE OF EBITDA” OR SIMILAR VALUATION METHODOLOGY IN CALCULATING THE AMOUNT OF ANY INDEMNIFIABLE LOSSES.
 
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
 
9.1           Causes. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated at any time prior to the completion of the Closing as follows, and in no other manner:
 
(a)            By mutual written consent of the Parties;
 
(b)            By either the Buyer or the Seller, if any permanent injunction, order, decree or ruling by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the Purchase and Sale of the Purchased Equity and Mexican Purchased Equity shall have become final and nonappealable; provided, however, that the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c) shall have used reasonable best efforts to remove such injunction or overturn such action;
 
(c)             By written notice from the Buyer to the Seller:
 
(i)         If any of the conditions provided for in Article VI of this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived by the Buyer in writing and the Closing has not occurred by February 3, 2015 or the date of such notice, whichever is later;
 
(ii)        Within five days after the Buyer’s receipt of an Updated Schedule which discloses an issue to the Companies in a dollar amount in excess of $1,000,000;
 
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(iii)       If the Closing has not occurred by February 3, 2015, for reasons other than the failure of the Buyer to perform its obligations hereunder; or
 
(iv)       If there occurs any change or development or combination of changes and/or developments that, individually or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Companies as a whole.
 
(d)           By written notice from the Seller to the Buyer if:
 
(i)         Any of the conditions provided for in Article VII of this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived by the Seller in writing and the Closing has not occurred by February 3, 2015 or the date of such notice, whichever is later;
 
(ii)       The Closing has not occurred by February 3, 2015, for reasons other than the failure of the Seller to perform its obligations hereunder; or
 
(iii)       If the Buyer proposes to renegotiate the Purchase Price.
 
9.2           Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 9.1, then this Agreement will forthwith become void and there will be no liability on the part of any Party to any other Party or any other Person in respect hereof; provided that:
 
(a)            The obligations of the Parties described in Sections 5.5, 9.2, 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 and 11.6, Article VIII and Article X and the Confidentiality Agreement will survive any such termination;
 
(b)            No such termination will relieve the Buyer from liability for any misrepresentation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination; and
 
(c)            No such termination will relieve the Seller from liability for any misrepresentation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination.
 
9.3           Right to Proceed. If any of the conditions specified in Article VI hereof have not been satisfied, the Buyer, in lieu of any other rights that may be available to it, may waive its rights to have such conditions satisfied prior to the Closing and may proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if any of the conditions specified in Article VII hereof have not been satisfied prior to the Closing, the Seller, in lieu of any other rights that may be available to it, may waive its right to have such conditions satisfied and may proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
ARTICLE X
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
 
10.1         Di spute. As used in this Agreement, “Dispute” shall mean any dispute or disagreement between the Buyer and the Seller concerning the interpretation of this Agreement, the validity of this Agreement, any breach or alleged breach by any Party under this Agreement or any other matter relating in any way to this Agreement. Dispute shall not include a dispute concerning: (1) the Buyer s failure to cause the conditions to any of its obligations toconsummate the Closing, and which are either within the Buyer s unilateral control to perform or are obligations of the Seller to be satisfied, for which the Seller may immediately seek recourse by filing a legal action seeking, among other remedies, specific performance against the Buyer in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court or the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Division; (2) the Closing Date Balance Sheet, which shall be resolved as described in Section 2.4; (3) the Calculations, which shall be resolved as described in Section 2.4; (4) the Purchase Price allocation which shall be resolved as described in Section 2.7 and/or (5) Tax matters which shall be resolved as described in Section 5.11.
 
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10.2          Process. If a Dispute arises, the Parties to the Dispute shall follow the procedures specified in Sections 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 of this Agreement.
 
10.3         Negotiations. The Parties shall promptly attempt to resolve any Dispute by negotiations between the Buyer and the Seller. Either the Buyer or the Seller may give the other Party written notice of any Dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. The Buyer and the Seller shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place within ten (10) calendar days after delivery of such notice, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to exchange relevant information and to attempt to resolve the Dispute. If the Dispute has not been resolved within thirty (30) calendar days of service of the disputing Party s notice, or if the Parties fail to meet within such ten (10) calendar days, either the Buyer or the Seller may initiate mediation as provided in Section 10.4 of this Agreement. If a Party intends to be accompanied at a meeting by legal counsel, the other Party shall be given at least three (3) business days notice of such intention and may also be accompanied by legal counsel.
 
10.4         Mediation. If the Dispute is not resolved pursuant to Section 10.3 of this Agreement, the Buyer and the Seller shall attempt in good faith to resolve any such Dispute by mediation. Either the Buyer or the Seller may initiate a mediation proceeding by serving the other Party with a written notice of and request for mediation (the “Request”) in accordance with Section 11.5 of this Agreement, and both Parties will then be obligated to engage in mediation. The mediation will be conducted at a mutually agreed upon location and in accordance with the then current International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution ( CPR ) Model Procedure for Mediation of Business Disputes, subject to the following conditions:
 
(a)            If, within thirty (30) calendar days of the Request, the Parties have not agreed on the selection of an individual willing to serve as mediator, the Parties shall instruct CPR to appoint a member of the CPR Panels of Neutrals certified to mediate in Delaware as the mediator; and
 
(b)            Efforts to resolve the Dispute through mediation will continue until the conclusion of the mediation, which shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest date that: (i) a written settlement is reached; or (ii) the mediator concludes and informs the Parties in writing that further efforts at mediation will not be productive; or (iii) the Buyer and the Seller agree in writing that an impasse has been reached; or (iv) is sixty (60) calendar days after the Request and none of the events specified in Sections 10.4(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) have occurred. No Party may withdraw before the conclusion of the mediation.
 
10.5          Submission to Adjudication. If a Dispute is not resolved by negotiation pursuant to Section 10.3 of this Agreement or by mediation pursuant to Section 10.4 of this Agreement within 100 calendar days after the disputing Party served the other party with notice of a Dispute pursuant to Sections 10.3 and 11.5 of this Agreement, such Dispute and any other claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement (other than a dispute to be resolved as described in Section 2.4) may be heard and adjudicated in an action filed in the Circuit Court or United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
 
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10.6         General.
 
(a)             Provisional Remedies. At any time during the procedures specified in Sections 10.3 and 10.4 of this Agreement, a Party may seek injunctive relief or other provisional judicial relief if in its judgment such action is necessary to avoid irreparable damage or to preserve the status quo. Despite such action, the Parties will continue to participate in good faith in the procedures specified in this Article X of this Agreement.
 
(b)             Tolling Statute of Limitations. All applicable statutes of limitation and defenses shall be tolled while the procedures specified in this Article X of this Agreement are pending. The Parties will take such action, if any, as is required to effectuate such tolling.
 
(c)             Performance to Continue. Each Party is required to continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement pending final resolution of any Dispute.
 
(d)             Extension of Deadlines. All deadlines specified in this Article X of this Agreement may be extended by mutual agreement between the Buyer and the Seller.
 
(e)              Enforcement. The Parties regard the obligations in this Article X of this Agreement to constitute an essential provision of this Agreement and one that is legally binding on them. In case of a violation of the obligations in this Article X of this Agreement by either the Buyer or the Seller, the other Party may bring an action to seek enforcement of such obligations in the Delaware Circuit Court of the United States District Court for Delaware.
 
(f)              Costs. The Parties to the dispute shall each pay: (i) their own costs, fees, including, without limitation, attorneys fees, and expenses incurred in connection with the application of the provisions of this Article X of this Agreement; and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the fees and expenses of CPR (if any) and the mediator in connection with the application of the provisions of Section 10.4 of this Agreement. In no event will either the Buyer or the Seller pay the other Party s costs, fees, including, without limitation, attorneys fees, and/or expenses incurred in connection with the application of the provisions of this Article X of this Agreement.
 
(g)             Replacement. If CPR is no longer in business or is unable or refuses or declines to act or to continue to act under this Article X of this Agreement for any reason, then the functions specified in this Article X of this Agreement to be performed by CPR shall be performed by another Person engaged in a business equivalent to that conducted by CPR as is agreed to by the Buyer and the Seller (the “Replacement”). If the Buyer and the Seller cannot agree on the identity of the Replacement within ten (10) calendar days after a Request, the Replacement shall be selected by the Chief Judge of United States District Court for the District of Delaware. If a Replacement is selected by either means, this Article X shall be deemed appropriately amended to refer to such Replacement.
 
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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
 
11.1         Further Assurance. Following the Closing, at a Party s request and without further consideration, the other Party will execute and deliver to the requesting Party such documents as the requesting Party may reasonably request in order to consummate more effectively the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
11.2          Assignment. The rights and obligations of a Party hereunder may not be assigned, transferred or encumbered (including by operation of Law) without the prior written consent of the other Party.
 
11.3         Law Governing Agreement; Jurisdiction.
 
(a)             This Agreement, including any Dispute or other claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, shall be construed and interpreted according to the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any choice of Law rules that may direct the application of the Laws of another jurisdiction.
 
(b)            The Parties hereby irrevocably consent that any legal action or proceeding arising out of, or in any manner relating to this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument arising out of or executed in connection with this Agreement shall be brought except as provided in Article X only in either (i) the Circuit Court or (ii) a United States District Court for the District of Delaware and in all appellate courts associated therewith. Each Party by the execution and delivery of this Agreement expressly and irrevocably consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of any of such courts in any such action or proceeding. Each Party hereby expressly and irrevocably waives any claim or defense in any action or proceeding based on any alleged lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, forum non conveniens, or any similar basis. Each Party agrees to waive a trial by jury.
 
11.4          Amendment and Modification. The Seller and the Buyer may amend, modify and supplement this Agreement, and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed on behalf of all of the Parties hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance.
 
11.5          Notice. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be: (a) personally delivered; (b) sent by telecopier, facsimile transmission or other electronic means of transmitting written documents; or (c) sent to the Parties at their respective addresses indicated herein by registered or certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by private overnight mail courier service. The respective addresses to be used for all such notices, demands or requests are as follows:
 
(a)       If to the Buyer, to:
 
Systemax Inc.
11 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Attention: Lawrence Reinhold, Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: (516) 608-7258
 
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(with a copy to)
 
Systemax Inc.
11 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Attention: Eric Lerner, General Counsel
Facsimile: (516) 608-7935
 
(b)        If to the Seller:
 
TAKKT America Holding Inc.
in c/o: General Counsel
Stefan Wehmeyer
ZA Recht/Legal Department
Presselstrasse 12 D-70191 Stuttgart
Germany
(with a copy to, which copy shall not constitute notice to the Seller)
 
Quarles & Brady LLP
411 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attention: Jennifer Clements
Facsimile: (414) 271-3552
 
If personally delivered, such communication shall be deemed delivered upon actual receipt; if electronically transmitted pursuant to this paragraph, such communication shall be deemed delivered the next business day after transmission (and sender shall bear the burden of proof of delivery); if sent by overnight courier pursuant to this paragraph, such communication shall be deemed delivered upon receipt; and if sent by U.S. mail pursuant to this paragraph, such communication shall be deemed delivered as of the date of delivery indicated on the receipt issued by the relevant postal service, or, if the addressee fails or refuses to accept delivery, as of the date of such failure or refusal. Any Person may change its address for the purposes of this Agreement by giving notice thereof in accordance with this Section.
 
11.6         Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, the Buyer and the Seller will each pay all of their own fees, costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal counsel, investment bankers, accountants, brokers or other representatives and consultants and appraisal fees, costs and expenses) incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
11.7         Entire Agreement; Binding Effect. This Agreement (including the Schedules and Updated Schedules, the Confidentiality Agreement and the documents referred to herein and to be delivered pursuant hereto) constitute the entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated herein, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions of the Parties, whether oral or written, and there have been and are no agreements, representations or warranties between the Parties other than those set forth or provided for herein or executed contemporaneously or in connection herewith. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
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11.8         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
11.9         Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
 
11.10        No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Person by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
 
11.11        No Reliance. Except for any assignees permitted by this Agreement and except as provided in Sections 5.8 and 5.16: (a) no third party is entitled to rely on any of the representations, warranties, and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement; and (b) the Buyer and the Seller assume no liability to any third party because of any such reliance.
 
11.12       Severability. If any provision, clause, or part of this Agreement, or the application thereof under certain circumstances, is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid, legal, and enforceable. This Agreement shall then be construed and enforced as so modified.
 
11.13       Other Definitional Provisions. The terms “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and terms of similar import will refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Article, Section, clause, subsection, Exhibit, Schedule and Updated Schedule references contained in this Agreement are references to Articles, Sections, clauses, subsections, Exhibits, Schedules and Updated Schedules in or attached to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. Each defined term used in this Agreement has a comparable meaning when used in its plural or singular form. Each gender-specific term used in this Agreement has a comparable meaning whether used in a masculine, feminine or gender-neutral form. Whenever the terms “include” or “including” are used in this Agreement (whether or not such terms are followed by the phrase “but not limited to” or “without limitation” or words of similar effect) in connection with a listing of items within a particular classification, that listing will be interpreted to be illustrative only and will not be interpreted as a limitation on, or an exclusive listing of, the items within that classification. Each reference in this Agreement to any Law will be deemed to include such Law as it hereafter may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time and any successor thereto, unless such treatment would be contrary to the express terms of this Agreement. Whenever any amount is stated in this Agreement in “Dollars” or by reference to the “$” symbol, such amount will be United States dollars. Whenever any amount is stated in this Agreement in “Canadian Dollars”, it shall be referred to as CAD$. Whenever any amount in this Agreement is stated in “Mexican Pesos”, it shall be referred to as MXN$. For the purposes of clarification, all financial information provided pursuant to this Agreement, including the consolidated Financial Statements, shall be in US Dollars.
 
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11.14      Specific Performance. The Parties agree that the assets and business of the Companies as a going concern constitute unique property. There is no adequate remedy at Law for the damage which any Party might sustain for failure of the other Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, accordingly, each Party shall be entitled, at its option, to the remedy of specific performance to enforce the consummation of the transaction described in this Agreement.
 
11.15        Acknowledgment by the Buyer. The Buyer acknowledges that although it has conducted, to its satisfaction, an independent investigation and verification of the financial condition, results of operations, assets, liabilities, properties and projected operations of the Companies based solely on information provided by the Seller in making its determination to proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Buyer has relied solely on the representations and warranties of Seller expressly and specifically set forth in this Agreement,
including the Schedules and the Updated Schedules.
 
S UCH EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE SELLER IN THIS AGREEMENT AND IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING CONSTITUTE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANY OF THE COMPANIES, THE SELLER AND THEIR AFFILIATES TO THE BUYER IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND THE BUYER UNDERSTANDS, ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY RELATING TO THE FUTURE OR HISTORICAL FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, ASSETS OR LIABILITIES OF THE COMPANIES NOT SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED AT THE CLOSING), ARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED BY THE COMPANIES, THE SELLER AND THEIR AFFILIATES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE BUYER SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANIES, THE SELLER AND THEIR AFFILIATES MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY CONCERNING ANY PROJECTIONS PROVIDED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANIES TO THE BUYER. THE BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS CONSPICUOUS.
 
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
 
68

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed this Purchase Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
 
THE SELLER:
 
TAKKT AMERICA HOLDING, INC.
 
 
By: /s/ Dr. Felix Zimmerman
/s/ Dr. Claude Tomaszewski
 
Name: Dr. Felix Zimmerman
Name: Dr. Claude Tomaszewski
 
Its:     Chairman
Its: CFO
 
THE BUYER:
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC
 
By: /s/ Lawrence P. Reinhold
Name: Lawrence P. Reinhold
Its: Vice President
 
THE MEXICAN BUYER
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL MEXICO HOLDINGS INC.
 
By: /s/ Lawrence P. Reinhold
Name: Lawrence P. Reinhold
Its: Vice President
 
 
69


Exhibit 10.36
 
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to the Purchase Agreement by and among TAKKT America Holding, Inc. (the “Seller”), Global Industrial Holdings LLC (the “Buyer”) and Global Industrial Mexico Holdings Inc. (the “Mexican Buyer”) dated December 31, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), is executed as of the 30th day of January, 2015, and amends the Purchase Agreement as set forth herein.
 
IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
 
1.         The definition of Base Price shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
 
“Base Price” shall mean Twenty-five Million Ninety Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$25,090,000).
 
2.         Section 8.3(a) shall be amended by inserting the following at the end thereof:
 
(iv) any payments made by Seller under the Parent Guarantee by and between Lakeview XII Venture, LLC and TAKKT AG, dated December 16, 2009 with respect to claims that the Landlord may have in the future under the Industrial Building Lease for 8123 116th Street, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin by and between C&H Service and Lakeview XII Venture, LLC, dated December 18, 2009, against C&H Service; provided that Buyer shall have no obligation to reimburse Seller with respect to any letter of credit that the Seller may be required to provide under such Parent Guarantee.
 
3.         Section 8.2(a)(iii) shall be inserted into the Agreement:
 
Section 8.2(a) (iii) A claim of breach by the landlord under the  Lease Agreement for 900 North Hills Blvd, Suite 300, Reno, Nevada 89506 by and between Seller and Bre/NV Industrial Properties L.L.C. dated May 27, 2003, as amended to the date of this Amendment due to a claim that consent was required either for granting a Sublease dated January 29, 2015 by and between Seller and C&H Service LLC or due to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
4.         Section 8.2(a)(iv) shall be inserted into the Agreement:
 
Section 8.2(a)(iv)  Any licensing fees or other costs charged to any Company and/or Buyer by Oracle for the assignment of the Software License and Services Agreement by and between Seller (by definition, includes C&H Distributors, C&H Productos, Products for Industry, and Avenue) and PeopleSoft USA, Inc. (Oracle), dated June 30, 2004, including all signed Schedules thereto, as amended.  Such indemnity shall terminate as of the date that there is an executed Assignment and Certification of Non Possession among Seller, Buyer, and Oracle.
 
-1-

5.         Section 8.2(b) shall be amended as follows  "under Section 8.2(a)(i) or (ii)" shall be deleted and replaced with "under Sections 8.2(a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)."
 
6.         Section 6.8(o) shall be inserted into the Agreement.
 
Seller shall have subleased the Reno lease to C&H Service prior to the Closing Date.
 
7.         In Section 3.5(f) of the Agreement, MXN$64,794,502 shall be deleted and replaced with MXN$64,797,501.
 
8.
(a)           Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Purchase Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
 
(b)          This Amendment shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
 
(c.)         Hereafter, all references to the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such Purchase Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
 
(d)          Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings given them in the Purchase Agreement.
 
[ Signature Page Follows ]
 
-2-

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.
 
 
THE SELLER:
 
 
TAKKT AMERICA HOLDING, INC.
 
 
By: /s/ Dr. Felix Zimmerman
 
Name: Dr. Felix Zimmerman
 
Its:     Chairman
 
 
THE BUYER:
 
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC
 
 
By: /s/ Lawrence Reinhold
 
Name: Lawrence Reinhold
 
Its: Vice President
 
THE MEXICAN BUYER:
   
 
GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL MEXICO HOLDINGS INC.
   
 
By:  /s/ Robert Dooley
 
Name: Robert Dooley
 
Its: President
 
 


Exhibit 21
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF SYSTEMAX INC.
as of March 12, 2015
 
Company Name
Jurisdiction
Afligo Marketing Services Inc.
USA (Florida)
Avenue Industrial Supply Co. Ltd
Canada
C&H Distributors, LLC
USA (Delaware)
C&H Productos Industriales,  S. de R.L. de C.V.
Mexico
C&H Service, LLC
USA (Delaware)
CircuitCity.com Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Distribución Industrial Globales, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Mexico
Global Computer Supplies Inc.
USA (New York)
Global Directmail B.V.
Netherlands
Global Equipment Company Inc.
USA (New York)
Global Gov/Ed Solutions Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Canada Inc.
Canada
Global Industrial Distribution Inc.
 USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Government Solutions Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Holdings LLC
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Marketplace Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Mexico Holdings II Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Mexico Holdings Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Global Industrial Services Inc.
USA (Delaware)
I-Com Software Eurl
France
Industrial Supplies.Com, LLC
USA (Delaware)
Infotel Distributors Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Inmac Wstore S.A.S.
France
Misco AB
Sweden
Misco America Inc.
USA (Florida)
Misco Computer Supplies Limited (dormant)
United Kingdom
Misco European Services Limited (dormant)
United Kingdom
Misco Germany Inc.
USA (New York)
Misco Iberia Computer Supplies S.L.
Spain
Misco Ireland Limited
Ireland
Misco Nederland B.V.
Netherlands
Misco Solutions B.V.
Netherlands
Misco UK Limited
United Kingdom
New SAH Corp.
USA (Delaware)
Nexel Industries Inc.
USA (New York)
OnRebate.com Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Papier Catalogues Inc.
USA (New York)
Products for Industry LLC
USA (Delaware)
Rebate Holdings LLC
USA (Delaware)
Simply Computers Limited (dormant)
United Kingdom
Software Licensing Center Inc.
USA (Florida)
Streak Products Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Systemax Business Services K.F.T.
Hungary
Systemax EMEA Technology Group Limited
United Kingdom
Systemax Europe Sarl
Luxembourg
Systemax Global Solutions Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Systemax Italy S.R.L.
Italy
Systemax OY
Finland
Systemax Polska Sp. Z.o.o.
Poland
Systemax Puerto Rico Inc.
USA (Puerto Rico)
SYX Distribution Inc.
USA (Delaware)
SYX North American Tech Holdings LLC
USA (Delaware)
SYX S.A. Holdings II Inc.
USA (Delaware)
SYX S.A. Holdings Inc.
USA (Delaware)
SYX Services Inc.
USA (Delaware)
SYX Services Private Limited
India
Target Advertising Inc.
USA (Delaware)
Tek Serv Inc.
USA (Delaware)
TigerDirect Inc.
USA (Florida)
TigerDirect Retail Services Inc.
USA (Delaware)
TigerDirect.ca Inc.
Canada
Wstore Europe S.A.S.
France
Wstore UK (dormant)
United Kingdom
 
 


EXHIBIT 23
 


Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:
 
 
(1)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-21489), pertaining to the 1995 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors,
 
 
(2)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-12491), pertaining to the 1995 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan,
 
 
(3)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-111618), pertaining to the 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, and
 
 
(4)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-176264), pertaining to the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
 
of our reports dated March 12, 2015, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Systemax Inc., and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Systemax Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
March 12, 2015



Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Richard Leeds, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Systemax Inc. (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this l report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter( the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 12, 2015
 
   
/s/ RICHARD LEEDS
 
Richard Leeds, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 


Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Lawrence P. Reinhold, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Systemax Inc. (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this l report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter ( the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 12, 2015
 
   
/s/ LAWRENCE P. REINHOLD
 
Lawrence P. Reinhold, Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 


Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of Systemax Inc., hereby certifies that Systemax Inc.’s Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78 (o)(d)) and that the information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Systemax Inc.
 
Dated: March 12, 2015
 
   
/s/ RICHARD LEEDS
 
Richard Leeds, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 


Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
The undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Systemax Inc., hereby certifies that Systemax Inc.’s Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78 (o)(d)) and that the information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Systemax Inc.

Dated: March 12, 2015
 
   
/s/ LAWRENCE P. REINHOLD
 
Lawrence P. Reinhold, Chief Financial Officer